tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78571026597433500032024-03-13T11:03:48.144-07:00A Day in the Life - the Ramblings of a Horse Woman doing what she LovesNicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-34944073810434980912022-01-08T21:27:00.000-08:002022-01-08T21:27:00.814-08:00With Winter Comes Rescue<p> It happens with the change of every season, but more so in the late fall and early winter. It’s the time of year all die hard career horse people and farm owners dread, That phone call, or the social media tag, Facebook messenger, (or God forbid the 52 Thoroughbreds in need of rescue), etc. Starving horses, cases of neglect out of sheer ignorance and lack of education on how to care for aging horses. Over the years I have tried to do my part in small ways a horse here a horse there, donations when I personally cannot take a horse. I have many friends who run neglect rescues tirelessly and they are the real hero’s. Day in day out they get phone calls about the disposable horse. Today it was my turn. A super sweet lady called looking for a rescue. She had delivered hay to a farm and noticed an aged mare who was in really poor shape. She explained the situation and the location and before I processed, “I’ll take her came out of my mouth.” Don just grinned and shook his head as he listened to my conversation. It really had not been my intention to take her, really, however I knew that several of the local rescues were busting at the seams with the intake of neglect cases recently and she needed help now. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAydQIgbt9lDehyyr-lu7fG0fNrZo2ZqKnZaFcnmBrmuM1Z-o0r0LrUjtywDQJ2moYvNSjcaGNxOVxxZb2ceXCmhCoPAejniLiXmOqBvC24ADUadKO-f4DMxQf0vE_2pRXlchRxa0xbxz1ztqDex9YcT2cCOF1XQhNyuiAQrsgXgHt886mitS0w7FR=s899" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="899" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAydQIgbt9lDehyyr-lu7fG0fNrZo2ZqKnZaFcnmBrmuM1Z-o0r0LrUjtywDQJ2moYvNSjcaGNxOVxxZb2ceXCmhCoPAejniLiXmOqBvC24ADUadKO-f4DMxQf0vE_2pRXlchRxa0xbxz1ztqDex9YcT2cCOF1XQhNyuiAQrsgXgHt886mitS0w7FR=w320-h266" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>Everyone meet Tilly. She is a super sweet 25+ Old little mare. Tilly hopped right on the trailer and off we went. Seems simple right? What I failed to mention is that Tilly was at the end of a dirt road the was more pig path than road and something straight out of wrong turn. Luckily we were still on Surry county with cell service but man oh man was that little dirt road sketchy. Tilly is a little more special needs than most. She is aged enough that her teeth are worn. So she will be getting many small soaked meals of all inclusive senior grain, alfalfa, beet pulp, and hay stretcher. So far she has slurped up every meal. She is bright and alert. For those of you new to horses or who own horses but never have owned an older one, the pictures below are not how old horses should look, EVER! I get so tired of hearing, “they are just getting old” this does not mean they should walk around like a prisoner of war victim starved to death. It just takes more human effort to keep them healthy. I know for a fact because we have five horses on this farm over the age of 25, and 2 of those 5 take tons of effort with soaking meals, alfalfa and beet pulp soaked, expensive senior feed etc. My point is it can be done but it is not for the faint of heart or for the lazy, cheap, or broke. Most horses cannot live off 7 blades of grass and a bucket of water. Yes with good pasture most can stay in good weight 3 seasons out of the year as long as they can chew grass or hay, but not a dirt lot with no grass or hay. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqyiDKgEVu2Y5wpKTgZSxltJKx2K00MfD0jRB76CO7DEYSuiKgYJpkDquFPWr7ckz4rRIcfUPIyGYRulSHjg-kQmV_i6Ilbry6q7Lcd9fZbbEnP0HkCWw_R9JE1ZxaVLtSEC-G3ELy_cpg9xHhnuvrKHMY5qj8Y86m9iW7sRpbSaRFR0iYavk1oZ6Z=s747" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="747" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqyiDKgEVu2Y5wpKTgZSxltJKx2K00MfD0jRB76CO7DEYSuiKgYJpkDquFPWr7ckz4rRIcfUPIyGYRulSHjg-kQmV_i6Ilbry6q7Lcd9fZbbEnP0HkCWw_R9JE1ZxaVLtSEC-G3ELy_cpg9xHhnuvrKHMY5qj8Y86m9iW7sRpbSaRFR0iYavk1oZ6Z=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tilly’s hips and backbone</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>This is not the look of a normal older horse. It is hard to see with her winter coat but if I had to guess she has a body score of 1.5-2 on a scale of 1-10. You can feel and see every rib and her backbone it a good 2” above any flesh. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Here is a picture of one of our schooling horses at 31 just getting done with a lesson.</p><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2sEVEKbcSeof_yZJBuE_8A1sh-5CD_XAVeqpmq-KzqO9GRDbxWu6Yj3i0oFImAtPln5b7qjGmPflT_nMtFndvNjY8s9TvFGFfoOYIz-Y5tyzPUoeAAAF8S8PctEqRny2xKDyV9peFJdeuzfb0gRfdS1aaj6iKV6jJAOQVQymW1gvgRJg86NFnCNKP=s1674" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1630" data-original-width="1674" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2sEVEKbcSeof_yZJBuE_8A1sh-5CD_XAVeqpmq-KzqO9GRDbxWu6Yj3i0oFImAtPln5b7qjGmPflT_nMtFndvNjY8s9TvFGFfoOYIz-Y5tyzPUoeAAAF8S8PctEqRny2xKDyV9peFJdeuzfb0gRfdS1aaj6iKV6jJAOQVQymW1gvgRJg86NFnCNKP=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chance at 31</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I am not trying to shame anyone only educate those who do not know or understand the commitment it takes with older horses. Chance has been unable to chew hay or grass for several years now. It takes time and effort to pull him out from the group mix and soak his grain to make sure he stays healthy. He has given many people in his life years of pleasure and if Chance can never be ridden again he still deserves to live out his life fat and happy. Tilly deserves this too, and here is where she will get it. </p><br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-29233789132243533442022-01-05T23:55:00.000-08:002022-01-05T23:55:47.343-08:00The blog returns….. Horses and Winter a question of Career choice<p>Back a few years (seems like an eternity) I frequently blogged. There was no real reason other than I wanted to. I looked back and realized that my last real blog was in 2017, hmmmm then it hit me what had changed! I got this crazy idea to turn the farm, my then part time passion, into a full time career. That is when the true crazy began June 2018. The leap of faith to do what I felt I was called to do. Introduce others to my addiction, hmmmm I mean passion, Horses, and all the crazy that it brings. Since then it has been a whirlwind of growth, change, failures, successes, and everything in between. The struggle is real folks, I’m not kidding. If Mother Nature is kind then I love horses from around March until mid December. From mid December until March I constantly want to have my head examined. I mean really who chooses to leave climate control in the winter to go slog through the mud after two days of cold wet rain?? I’m telling you it’s an addiction, that’s the only real explanation. Sure it’s legal, somewhat healthy for you if you count all the calories you burn chases horses, fixing fence, lugging hay, dumping feed into the bins, let’s not forget mucking stalls. I mean two constants with horses, eating and pooping. I will say my health meter on my phone went from roughly 12k steps to over 30k per day. I think I saw it blip up with a WTH message one day when I reached over 40k. Did I mention I’m in NC where the weather goes from T-shirt’s 70+ degrees to 38 degrees with wind, 4 layers of clothes and your still freezing from one day to the next? I swear if one more horse drags off one more blanket this winter they will all be in time out. Not only did I choose this life I am dragging others into the horse cult with me….. You get a horse, you get a horse, oh you need two horses, you get the idea. I mean for some it is so bad they are buying farms of their own, I mean really they see what me and my JHF crew go through and still think YEAH let’s do that. I want to work 7 days a week and never really go on another vacation. I tell you horses know! Those F’ers know if I am pulling out of the driveway for more than a tractor supply run to pick up their favorite treats. You let me be gone more than 12 hours, “let the games begin.” I promise you I will get a text from the poor unfortunate soul (usually Brooke) that is holding down the fort and the horses spidey senses go into overdrive. “She’s gone boys, time to cause havoc. Tommy you tear down the fence, Bob cut your leg, nothing major but enough so it swells, Nancy B how’s that hoof abscess coming? Are you good and lame? Fred and Spice “just do you” that is good for at least 3 phone calls, ok guys who wants to mildly colic? We need volunteers.” I swear these horses plan it. I know there are other farm owners who understand the struggle. It’s a full winter of riding roulette, because the weather fluctuations you never know what horse personality you are getting, hmmm are we getting old faithful steady eddy or are we getting Secretariat ready to relive the good ol days. Horse people really do need their heads examined, but then you have days where:</p><p>You drive down the driveway and every horse is grazing contently in the correct pasture.</p><p>The young horse you have been working with finally gets what you are asking and in just that moment all your training has paid off.</p><p>The riding student that was scared of horses 3 months earlier, but has always wanted to ride is walking out into the pasture full of horses to retrieve her lesson horse for the day. </p><p>The 6 year old finally figures out the posting trot or hell the 60 year old for that matter.</p><p>You see a group of teenagers helping the younger kids tack up their horses. </p><p>The teenagers are not being wellll teenagers, I mean it’s as rare as seeing a shooting star but it does happen</p><p>You see the 10 year old who has ridden since she could walk, show the adult beginner how to properly groom and pick out feet</p><p>You see a group of people from different backgrounds, lifestyles, tax brackets and ages, sharing their love of horses.</p><p>You walk through the barn and each horse sticks it’s head out to greet you.</p><p>You see the horse that once sold for 180k at the racetrack but retired with knee X-rays so bad they thought he would never recover now teaches students in your lesson program</p><p>The group of horses that retired from racing but have started their new journey into a second career</p><p>The lesson horse that has taught so many people to ride and has earned a well deserved retirement. </p><p>The child who struggles with every day activities that come easy for most blossoms into a beautiful confident rider on the back of a horse.</p><p>The peace of just being near a horse brings to so many. </p><p>Probably my favorite is in the late evening when the busy of the farm fades, their are no cars left in the drive and I am doing final check, this is when I know I have made the right choice. Just me and the horses quietly enjoying the peace of the darkness. It’s in those moments I know it will all be ok. The horses will still be plotting their next great calamity and I still REALLY hate winter but it will be ok.</p><p><br /></p>Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-24529602285473032572017-10-03T12:45:00.001-07:002017-10-04T08:50:22.395-07:00Don't throw me away..... I am Somebody's Magical Unicorn<br />
How many of you look at the horse sale ads on social media? Yeah me too. Even if you are not in the market for a new horse it is always fun to look and dream. In a world of instant social media they are hard to miss. If you are a member of any one of hundreds of horse related pages these days you are bound to see them, in fact, they are in your face whether you are looking for a horse or not. However, if you are horse shopping for your new perfect one of a kind seemingly magical unicorn riding partner this can be a daunting task. Horses come in all shapes and sizes with a wide range of training or potential talent. Mares , Geldings, and Stallions oh my..... Bay, Chestnut, Grey, Black, and every variation in between. Chrome no chrome the list is endless. I haven’t even touched on the prices. There are horses for every budget. They range from FREE to “Holy Cow I just bought a new Lexus”. In this new world of Social Media you can even post your request to one of these many pages: ISO: My magical unicorn (fill in criteria here) and poof instantly you have tens of hundreds of people dropping horses in your lap at the click of their mouse. With this current trend and so many horses on the market it should be simple, RIGHT? Well here is the thing..... Depending on what you are searching for your magical unicorn may be right under your nose and you don’t even realize it, because that horse doesn’t come in the shiny perfect package. Your Unicorn’s wrapper might be a little fuzzy or a little dull. It might come with an old healed injury, even some hardware, lets add in a superficial scar or two that tells a story of it’s old career that it is no longer suited for. This might not describe your unicorn but it does describe some of the magical unicorns I have placed into wonderful homes after careful rehabilitation from race career ending injuries. For some of these horses euthanasia was even initially suggested. Do not mistake me for a bloody do gooder who thinks that a horse should never be euthanized, that is not what I am saying at all; however I do believe that there are horses, that given the chance with proper rehabilitation and time, can go on to have VERY successful careers after a catastrophic injury. I want to share just a few of these stories with you, if for no other reason than to educate. The fear of the unknown is one of the greatest things as a horse owner you can experience. I am willing to share not only my experience, but my success stories with you in hopes that maybe the unicorn you have been looking for has been overlooked because of it’s packaging.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AAHcs3aR28RX2u8Kq9xcVeyyojzBsxsNeGBj3X5KLpt0X_koL22rgk323ppLaMerKAO-w9VtNStBl8lVglPmtsOrZX92DCwfA5o0Ti__5yVIm9Ad34EmJtNno7uA9rpU6rnLH5m4i2U/s1600/21769398_10154928343203317_573033919_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="419" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AAHcs3aR28RX2u8Kq9xcVeyyojzBsxsNeGBj3X5KLpt0X_koL22rgk323ppLaMerKAO-w9VtNStBl8lVglPmtsOrZX92DCwfA5o0Ti__5yVIm9Ad34EmJtNno7uA9rpU6rnLH5m4i2U/s200/21769398_10154928343203317_573033919_o.jpg" width="130" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don and Guapo</td></tr>
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Curve Ball (Guapo) and Super Slam (Salem) are examples of Perfect Unicorn’s coming in not so perfect packages. Curve Ball retired from racing with a sesamoid fracture<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0szHlQ-j5u_MrMVupV09e7AypiSAA_Sw8xfVVTYl8bav4VSvUakd0SYXGaeVwo55Sqj31qAjuBKo0rgAdOhYqI7_51fmh-Wu8jiHS-dlY5mstk7fA2J5C1KXkUOk8xkvnmc64Zt8Vcng/s1600/curveball.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0szHlQ-j5u_MrMVupV09e7AypiSAA_Sw8xfVVTYl8bav4VSvUakd0SYXGaeVwo55Sqj31qAjuBKo0rgAdOhYqI7_51fmh-Wu8jiHS-dlY5mstk7fA2J5C1KXkUOk8xkvnmc64Zt8Vcng/s200/curveball.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guapo's Sesamoid Fracture</td></tr>
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so severe that euthanasia was on the table. He now belongs to Don Nelson who not only trail rides him but Guapo is also used for the Jumping H Farm lesson program. Guapo has gone on to win numerous ribbons under saddle from advanced beginners to intermediate riders. He was overlooked by many riders who just wanted a pleasure, dressage mount. Even his good looking package was not enough for some to take a chance on him.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_YWGqbNssLQuq8fGwV1V_n1ZoQkeVM5FGQsIffIOZSQdAD59oz-xF9gF0yjFCzsLZ4D3io1ES_WgA9Old5fB0gTgXzL_rZsc89Cls6Pl19gaskSZAgFsoacucS2iA0Ot9scf7T8Qgc4/s1600/18199377_408367302874370_616615623120505103_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_YWGqbNssLQuq8fGwV1V_n1ZoQkeVM5FGQsIffIOZSQdAD59oz-xF9gF0yjFCzsLZ4D3io1ES_WgA9Old5fB0gTgXzL_rZsc89Cls6Pl19gaskSZAgFsoacucS2iA0Ot9scf7T8Qgc4/s1600/18199377_408367302874370_616615623120505103_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salem on the left and Guapo on the right</td></tr>
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For Don and the students at Jumping H Farm he is their unicorn. Solid on the trail and in the show ring Guapo has it all. I see story after success stories about horses going on from sesamoid fractures to have unlimited great careers. While every case is individual and it does depend on the placement of the fracture, with careful rehabilitation a second career is possible.<br />
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Super Slam or Salem as he is affectionately called by his owner Beverly Crews is another love story worth telling. Retiring from the track with some knee hardware to repair a slab fracture, Salem is another horse that some would shy away from. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgIBMp-8kUlGnxLieXMGBY9Wuz4Xr6-TGuG5c0IRMZZukXT1okBzhgWGwMGZuileQU5PoD9HnOlMeyp4TCCL0JELka5tRy0fVxQNgtJ2oy6LJsGleVfEU39f2F7uHMZqjxWdobA8AxwM/s1600/large+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgIBMp-8kUlGnxLieXMGBY9Wuz4Xr6-TGuG5c0IRMZZukXT1okBzhgWGwMGZuileQU5PoD9HnOlMeyp4TCCL0JELka5tRy0fVxQNgtJ2oy6LJsGleVfEU39f2F7uHMZqjxWdobA8AxwM/s200/large+%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salem's knee hardware</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMk3f5zkKwJjg0FgOGFYa8XnL4p2bX5jObbta5fpGcH0v1NDP6oWm11VxjwxEur-TB4GeHRzM4BOJS48Pl8wxPhF5v7a2Iwav9SvnVRuaQVzU2dfIbCRtA_lSlEvF8ieRwG9U-FcwZoC4/s1600/14358846_10205516577552158_7370018337138868524_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="960" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMk3f5zkKwJjg0FgOGFYa8XnL4p2bX5jObbta5fpGcH0v1NDP6oWm11VxjwxEur-TB4GeHRzM4BOJS48Pl8wxPhF5v7a2Iwav9SvnVRuaQVzU2dfIbCRtA_lSlEvF8ieRwG9U-FcwZoC4/s200/14358846_10205516577552158_7370018337138868524_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salem as a flying monkey</td></tr>
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I see it all the time...<br />
ISO: (followed by "No previous Injuries"). I get it, why invite trouble you say, it's horses like Salem, that's why. This is a horse that you can put absolutely anyone on at anytime. He will trail ride anywhere you point him. He is darned near unflappable. Salem has taken more than one Jumping H Farm student around the show ring to victory. His owner Beverly, has also been the catalyst for our farm being Grand Champion two years in a row in the Halloween costume classes. He truly is a unicorn dressed in a black package, and sometimes dressed as a flying monkey.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBu8hWlg8qw_PyGkJcZOTn89tT3kKUMhF7kCdAufsaZ9ZQtZScRpQYumzQC8NjkE-6Qj2pjk-KgRHDFkkAImYfJAPrTAxh3SN1xwZSiFVyBHTGX67KWY18Zq45EGnc5u8AfNm9h6bCbY/s1600/18342338_1730913400257029_2140806149684715625_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBu8hWlg8qw_PyGkJcZOTn89tT3kKUMhF7kCdAufsaZ9ZQtZScRpQYumzQC8NjkE-6Qj2pjk-KgRHDFkkAImYfJAPrTAxh3SN1xwZSiFVyBHTGX67KWY18Zq45EGnc5u8AfNm9h6bCbY/s200/18342338_1730913400257029_2140806149684715625_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Centrifical Force (Apollo) and Samantha</td></tr>
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Centrifical Force or Apollo as he is affectionately known to his owner Samantha is probably one of our greatest success stories. I say that because Samantha is an upper level event rider who contacted me several years ago looking for her next forever mount. We talked briefly on the phone, I told her the horses I had available, Salem at the time being one of them, and she scheduled a visit. I knew the moment she stepped into the stirrup on Salem he was not what she wanted or needed. Her dad looked over in my rehabilitation paddock and saw Apollo. I might add that he was jumping, bucking and kicking his heels up as if to say "HEY see me over here." Apollo came into the <a href="http://www.re3ottb.com/" target="_blank">Jumping H Farm Re3</a> program with a bowed tendon. The initial vet evaluation actually stated "Ruptured Tendon." Apollo's rehabilitation took over 9 months of careful care. He had been in his rehab paddock for a few months and was ready to begin his training. This handsome colt was wired for sound. When Samantha told me about her desire to do upper level eventing we discussed Apollo's injury at length. She and her father decided to take a chance on this spirited young horse and it paid off in a big way. Over the last few years Samantha and Apollo have soared through the levels of<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQpltVOeWSuYXSgn3nb__TE56_DdbYXdTs-5hBgMeAu49TCBXPvmACn1ytV11R-yc8lxw-9QohXzNJ89C-oOxMgQHznbmZA3Fk57pXs9lI_KlgEE5KL-VmxCUw_u5oQL3zPfGx-wUXso/s1600/13710663_1402954019719637_3250086244292919904_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQpltVOeWSuYXSgn3nb__TE56_DdbYXdTs-5hBgMeAu49TCBXPvmACn1ytV11R-yc8lxw-9QohXzNJ89C-oOxMgQHznbmZA3Fk57pXs9lI_KlgEE5KL-VmxCUw_u5oQL3zPfGx-wUXso/s200/13710663_1402954019719637_3250086244292919904_o.jpg" width="200" /></a>eventing. From the baby maiden level all the way through to training level, even winning year end Champion and Reserve Champion awards two years in a row in different divisions at the North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training association the sky is the limit for this pair. Samantha has a talent for seeing past the plain wrapper and the dings and dents. She is a huge advocate of the off track thoroughbred (OTTB) and their versatility. She adopted another project horse from us, Imaginary Weekend, Trip for short.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imaginary Weekend (Trip)</td></tr>
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This 17+ hand gangly giraffe of a horse captured her heart We both knew Trip had talent and a good mind but he was going to need a serious nutrition program. He came from the track a bit on the lanky and thin side. It takes a lot of groceries to straighten out a horse of that size but Samantha was up for the challenge. It took about a year for her to get Trip in a good place health wise. All the while he was in light work to help fit and muscle him up.This horse had a wonderful brain with a thinner package. He is now in his new forever home with a great partner.<br />
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I have one more success story I want to share. This one is very near and dear to my heart. If you own horses for very long you know that sometimes there is "That horse." that one horse for whatever reason does something to you when you look into his eyes. Best Five is that horse. Best came from the Parx track in PA as almost all of the OTTBs I rehab do. Danielle with <a href="https://patha.org/turning-for-home/turning-for-home-adoptable-horses/" target="_blank">Turning for Home</a> called me one day about Best. The conversation was a grim one. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_ndjetv9dBRSqzxePh9EI8i4APfTQCcL-cy2sLWmkJEvuYUzSf6S-eyUzIt8ndCoeBegrln5Bn1aWUzSuvNFvSj-aUrqvznojdmVblONJf7E8GkxcN6ni7r8KWkGVtbtPWAxNPu2eRg/s1600/best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="700" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_ndjetv9dBRSqzxePh9EI8i4APfTQCcL-cy2sLWmkJEvuYUzSf6S-eyUzIt8ndCoeBegrln5Bn1aWUzSuvNFvSj-aUrqvznojdmVblONJf7E8GkxcN6ni7r8KWkGVtbtPWAxNPu2eRg/s200/best.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best Five</td></tr>
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Sometimes the story is not all sunshine and rainbows. Best had been retired with a less than illustrious career as a racehorse, he only had 16 career starts with a 2-1-1 record and just over $42,000 in winning; for a colt that sold at Keenland as a yearling for $190,000 he just did not perform. Sadly even with only 16 starts his knees were shot. His x-rays were awful. He was riddled with arthritis and it was suggested he might not even be pasture sound. However, Best apparently didn't read his x-rays. The conversation Danielle and I had went something along the lines of: "Nicole can we give him 6 months of pasture rest? I have looked this horse in the eye. He is not ready yet. If things are not significantly better in 6 months we will do the right thing." It was the best (no pun intended) decision Danielle and I ever made. Six months turned into 10 but all was well with Best. Not only was he sound, he was REALLY sound. When it was time to adopt him out, we all cried. They were mixed emotions of tears of joy and sadness, remember I said there is always that one. Eight months later I got a call from his new owners, they had to give Best up due to no fault of his own. They had some life changes that prevented them from keeping Best.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppkhQr8MXJJ6p7SkeaohfpnDG0osUABAv1fD7uHbpntm6xGNvtLGDtPMEti3GiE4EJ1oflRsh46uT5YymsJQmuoqSVmWpzTHz6MVb6FSMwKkALNBNP13_L7vbf8ktDuPovaoqeRp1aVM/s1600/21232056_10214152996483146_8162254703141099666_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="960" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppkhQr8MXJJ6p7SkeaohfpnDG0osUABAv1fD7uHbpntm6xGNvtLGDtPMEti3GiE4EJ1oflRsh46uT5YymsJQmuoqSVmWpzTHz6MVb6FSMwKkALNBNP13_L7vbf8ktDuPovaoqeRp1aVM/s200/21232056_10214152996483146_8162254703141099666_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill and Best showing</td></tr>
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Sometimes life works like that. The good news is we had our Besty boy back at the farm. I had just recovered from a broken leg and he was the best and safest mount for me to do my rehabilitation on. Since then Best has gone on to teach many a rider the basics on the trail and in the show ring. </div>
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Over the past almost 4 years with <a href="http://www.re3ottb.com/" target="_blank">Jumping H Farm Re3 Adoption and Therapy</a>, I have placed numerous horses with people just like you and me. That person looking for their perfect horse their "unicorn." Many of these horses are in normal everyday riding homes where the owners like to do a little of everything. They want to enjoy their horse and it be a part of the family. They want to trail ride one weekend and go to a horse show of (insert discipline here). They want their children to be able to groom and love on their horse just like they do. Since February of 2014 I have placed 49 horses in new loving homes with new careers. Of those 49 horses over one third were not in "perfect packages." They had some hardware like Salem, a healed sesamoid like Guapo or a healed tendon injury like Apollo. Sometimes they just need a little TLC like Trip or some well deserved down time like Best. In any case every one of those horses deserved a chance to shine. They were not anyone's first choice but they were certainly somebody's BEST Choice and in the end they were someone's magical unicorn.<br />
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Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-61528905180268573082016-04-19T13:29:00.000-07:002016-04-19T13:29:45.554-07:00Life's Teaching Moments, Some Days I Need to be Reminded. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjt6oq8CNYnWfzQbPQxfA9Y0ZP_rRKftLRbZq9jtRqrIZYUNfj67UEwUstwnclkp9Cvy03Qg6GewhXSZzy0fNwTVWxo4nvzRcdM8eNWQKo7d7wAyLpAj7XPzx9eiOI3wsFSbSf2qZvaE/s1600/20160419_161204.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjt6oq8CNYnWfzQbPQxfA9Y0ZP_rRKftLRbZq9jtRqrIZYUNfj67UEwUstwnclkp9Cvy03Qg6GewhXSZzy0fNwTVWxo4nvzRcdM8eNWQKo7d7wAyLpAj7XPzx9eiOI3wsFSbSf2qZvaE/s200/20160419_161204.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are in fact the same thickness.</td></tr>
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Some days with all that goes on at the farm it is all I can do to remember to put socks on in the morning. Not even matching socks, just socks that my boots won't eat. You know the kind. Take 10 steps and you are stopping to pull them back up from the toe of your boot. If I am lucky the socks are somewhere close to the same material and thickness. Uneven thickness is annoying as well. One thick sock, one thin sock. One foot gets hot, the other slides around in your boot. Whew Nicole, focus....<br />
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With farm life comes daily everything or twice daily as the case may be. Keeping up with 22 horses, 6 dogs, 4 cats, a teenager, and a significant other can become pretty daunting. Luckily both Genna and Don can forage for food assuming I remember to go to the grocery store. Throw in a full time job with an hour commute each way and poof my day is mapped out for you from 7:00am until 9:00pm or later.<br />
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So yesterday I had just gotten to work and my cell phone rings. It is an out of state call, Vermont. Flipping through my mental Rolodex, "Do I know anyone from Vermont"? The answer is no. Second ring.... Sales call or horse call, answer or goto voice mail... decisions. "Oh what the hell, Good Morning, Nicole speaking" (Forced Smile to seem chipper). On the other end of the phone was a nice lady looking for a trail ride, on a Monday no less. I politely explained I am trapped in corporate america prison until 5pm and that I could do a trail ride at 6:30pm, mentally praying that I had not forgotten some after school function Genna might have and that she would be able to get horses ready. We set a time for 6:30 pm. It dawned on me to ask how old her son was. "He is 7", she replied. <br />
Well Damn Damn Damn and Double damn. I didn't want to disappoint her but I generally don't take out kids on the trail younger than 10 unless they have experience. I sighed to myself and kept the trail ride appointment. Mentally kicking myself and dreading the experience. Young children on the trail are especially challenging. Don't get me wrong I love teaching kids, in a ring, with a fence, with no grass or trees for the horse to stop and snack on.<br />
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Fast forward 8 hours and the 1 hour drive home. I won't lie, after a full weekend of horse activities, horse show and full lesson day on Sunday, taking out a trail ride was not what I had on the agenda. Much less a trail ride with a 7 year old. Historically those rides go one of two ways... really good or OMG really bad. As a matter of fact Mondays are generally a decompress day. Luckily when I got home Genna and David had the ponies ready. The enthusiastic mother and her less than enthusiastic son had arrived. I have never seen a child so obsessed with and worried about the location of the flying insects at my farm. Do they sting? Do they bite? Why do you have so many? What is that? (do they not have stink bugs in Vermont?) A feeling of doom washed over me and a flash back to the summer of 2012 when the teenage girl petrified of flying insects launched herself off the side of one of my horses into the gravel to escape a horsefly or bee while the horse was walking. (that my friends is a tale for another day) Snapping back to the present, we took the horses into the ring to begin mounting. Another 20 minutes later we were mounted and ready to ride. I fully expected to be leading this young man shortly after we started the trail. I just knew it. Fifteen more minutes in and we were in the mouth of the trail when the full whining meltdown is starting to commence. I do not like whining, I do not like it Sam I Am. Rocky, this young man's mount, was being his normal self ambling down the trail slower than a 3 toed sloth, if that is even possible, stopping in true Rocky fashion, to snack on the trees down the trail. The young man was pulling back on the reins and kicking at the same time, which Rocky purposely ignored as he continued to snack.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrZWc0n26FhZWhTmlnmguqgt4lwVrUbSvRZOXqXH4R1EXtrcFFiZWPlTnsA6wgvrIdhraKUp1fygU6u4Jh6VLe24-NVL-pkCZlqKUs4PZnic4QUGqoaOYeRUq2yFWv8s-xlG4c49rlPY/s1600/DSCF0898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrZWc0n26FhZWhTmlnmguqgt4lwVrUbSvRZOXqXH4R1EXtrcFFiZWPlTnsA6wgvrIdhraKUp1fygU6u4Jh6VLe24-NVL-pkCZlqKUs4PZnic4QUGqoaOYeRUq2yFWv8s-xlG4c49rlPY/s200/DSCF0898.JPG" width="200" /></a>I took a deep breath. "Take your hand and slide it forward on your right rein and pull it to your knee. Kick him and tell him to WALK ON."<br />
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"But I can't", he whined.<br />
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"Can't never could", I said sternly. I went on to explain what that phrase meant in plain English to a 7 year old hell bent on sabotaging his first trail experience. Not on my watch. I repeated myself. He grabbed the rein, pulled hard right, kicked Rocky and yelled, "GO". Rocky continued to snack.<br />
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"Tell him to WALK ON," I repeated. "Why," he whined. "Because he doesn't understand GO," I said. It is really in those moments that I wish I studied enough of a foreign language to say something completely sarcastic to the child so they can say "HUH" to punctuate my point. My horses know "walk, trot, canter, whoa, walk on, back, etc." you get the point.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyt9eIrlY6_Nrdrx3vKoqwbw7ZXfoNyNlrywbjb8CknxQDdA3LpKpIOPFBwGJk67Uog__O-ab9wGdiZPh-8huOs0GCRqbU7Qj1UWXd4jqvuX0pRkt-AssU70Iu1YSzB1jqJmR_LsUliGU/s1600/DSCF0910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyt9eIrlY6_Nrdrx3vKoqwbw7ZXfoNyNlrywbjb8CknxQDdA3LpKpIOPFBwGJk67Uog__O-ab9wGdiZPh-8huOs0GCRqbU7Qj1UWXd4jqvuX0pRkt-AssU70Iu1YSzB1jqJmR_LsUliGU/s200/DSCF0910.JPG" width="200" /></a>Have I mentioned I HATE whining? Anyway we managed to make it down the wooded part of the trail after about 10 minutes. All the while I repeated myself about 200 times. "Slide your right hand forward and pull the rein to your knee and get his face out of the trees. Kick him and tell him to walk on." I said it with a smile and all the "Look you are doing it" and "Good Jobs" I could muster. Rocky loves when little kids ride him. I think he enjoys torturing them. He is guaranteed to be able to snack at least part of the trail. I know he does it on purpose. Fast forward 15 more minutes. We had been chit chatting and I repeated instructions at least 10 more times and then it happened. This young man had a break through. Gone was the whining, THANK GOD, replaced by the "I am doing it, I know how to ride now!" He was so loud they may have heard him in Vermont.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsy6Dj49YZq9NZPfaQGL6g1XGDhmFNMuiN3DzT-d9O-oLZpHkOHcSCN7fOJbk8e2ycJ6yY9nuHtCRJsAEKvofxfuPheZhoQMYMxP8R_3aULEUE-BmyZEUpRw9qS83Wien8GCU6jnx5OxE/s1600/DSCF0916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsy6Dj49YZq9NZPfaQGL6g1XGDhmFNMuiN3DzT-d9O-oLZpHkOHcSCN7fOJbk8e2ycJ6yY9nuHtCRJsAEKvofxfuPheZhoQMYMxP8R_3aULEUE-BmyZEUpRw9qS83Wien8GCU6jnx5OxE/s200/DSCF0916.JPG" width="200" /></a> Both his mom and I chuckled a bit and continued on the trail. By the time we were headed down the home stretch 3/4 of the way home, not only was he successfully navigating through the trail he was singing old western songs. His mother explained that he was fascinated by westerns and watched them all. When we got back to the barn he thanked me and told me he had a great time. He asked to feed Rocky, he helped me untack and groom Rocky. His mother pulled me to the side and explained to me that her son was adopted and he had tons of anxiety issues when introduced to new situations coupled with ADHD. She went on to explain the fact that he even made it through the trail without a total meltdown was amazing.<br />
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Sometimes I get caught up in the daily grind and forget why I teach, invite adults and children, complete strangers to the farm to ride. I grumble and moan, sometimes all I want to do is come home and crash on the couch after a day at work. However 100% of the time I always feel better when I go to the barn and ride a horse or teach a lesson. I can tell you that I enjoy every time I see the smile on a kids face when they finally figure out they are controlling a 1000lb animal. Or see a kid who in every other aspect of their life lack the focus to get through their day without being reprimanded give me 100% of their focus to me and the horse they are riding. This young man is now hooked. His mother now has another tool in which to help her son overcome some of his anxiety and focus issues. All because I answered a Vermont phone number and agreed to take a trail ride. It was an hour and a half well spent.<br />
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<br />Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-12206437245631366322014-12-03T13:05:00.000-08:002014-12-03T13:05:14.322-08:00Seems like yesterday....304 days and 15 horses later JHF Re3 Adoption & Therapy is a realityIt has been three hundred and four days since the trip to Pennsylvania to pick up the first two thoroughbreds off the track. Three hundred and four days since retired race horses had a place in Surry County, NC where they could rehabilitate be retrained and rehomed. Ten months since the logo and the name JHF Re3 made its debut.<br />
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Where has the time gone? I know it is cliché but it really does seem like yesterday. If I really look back, it was over a year ago when the planning started, but in my mind I wasn't getting my hopes up until the first two horses stepped onto JHF Re3 soil. When those horses stepped off the trailer, that is when this dream became a reality. There was no turning back, as if I ever would, after all this was what I have always wanted. I love this life and what I do. Make no mistake this passion is not for the faint of heart. Each and every horse I bring to the farm I treat as if they are my very own horse. Every horse that comes to this farm from the track deserves to have a Re3 in their life. From those who are not fast enough and never won a dime for their owners, to the War Horses with hundreds of thousands in winnings in their stat sheet, and every horse in between. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needtogetpaid aka Money with War Horse status</td></tr>
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They deserve to have that chance, to be a horse, to have another career, to have their very own human or family of humans to spoil them rotten. There is no greater joy than to see a horse that has come from the track, their home a stall except when being worked or handled, transform from a honed racing machine doing their job, racing and winning or losing as the case may be, to a beloved member of someone's family. <br />
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Please understand this is not an overnight transformation nor do I typically "Rescue horses from the track." I work with other non profit organizations or private individuals who are established, whose goal is to keep racing thoroughbreds from being disposable once their racing career is through. There is good and bad in every facet of the equine industry. Racing is no different. I am not here to debate the good the bad or ugly, my job is to "do something" to give back, to give hope. I do this by promoting a breed of horse that generally gets a bad rap in the equine world among some equine fanatics. To keep people from pigeon holing what these horses are capable of. My job, no really it is my duty, to dispel the myth that thoroughbreds are crazy. I tell people all the time, they are not crazy, they are just smarter than most humans. Like any other athlete these horses need time to decompress from race life. They are professional athletes on strict regimented schedules that serves to do one thing, make them the best in their field on race day. It takes time for these horses to adjust from the racing world. They have to relearn to be a just a horse. A life that gets paddock and pasture turn out, that involves socializing with other horses, even a life that doesn't involve a riding ring. These are major life changes to some of these horses. Some just need that time to realize they no longer have to go fast. Once they learn that then most are content to walk, trot and canter around and have the easy life. <br />
Some thoroughbreds love the thrill of competition, others want to cruise around the woods. Those horses, the ones that live for the competition, are the ones that go on to make wonderful jumping, eventing, foxhunting, barrel racing, or whatever competition mounts. They are not insane or crazy, but they have their niche and as humans we need to identify with them. <br />
<br />
I have been very blessed in this life I have chosen. Like all things this path is not without it's ups and downs. Even its heartache. The heartache is tough, I won't lie. You have to be able to make the tough choices, the best choices for the horse and not for you. Not every horse is cookie cutter. People have to remember not every horse is going to rehabilitate the same. A big part of the rehabilitation lays within the heart and soul of the horse. If you give them time and you really pay attention, they will tell you what they are best suited for. Time and patience are key in this field. These animals are not commodities to me, nor will they ever be such. I believe in my heart this is why I gravitated more towards the non-profit side of this business. To help and make a difference. To give these horses a voice, to educate people. Not only to help the horses in need but to help the people as well. <br />
<br />
For some people the greatest therapy is a horse. It doesn't have to involve even riding, but the brushing the caring for another living creature besides yourself. Horses have great power to touch the heart of humans. Horses have been used in quotes for centuries.... one of my favorites<br />
<br />
<em><strong>A horse is the projection of peoples' dreams about themselves - strong, powerful, beautiful - and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence.</strong></em><br />
<div class="bq_fq_a">
<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/p/pam_brown.html"><em><strong> Pam Brown </strong></em></a></div>
<br />
There is no greater joy then matching a horse with it's new owner. Knowing that you have rehabilitated that horse to the best of your ability and placed it with a person that you have personally worked with so their new partnership can be at its best. I want to set these horses up for success, I want to set the people up for a successful partnership with these horses. There must be a connection, if there isn't, more often than not, it won't work. So far this year I have had the pleasure of rehoming 8 horses. Each horse wonderful in its own way. Every one loved by their new owners. I still have other thoroughbreds in various stages of rehabilitation and retraining who will eventually go on to new careers. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujhtJRteQm-LWG_6d4zpGl-_RW9SYTwkFLJbOtiKkN5bZ2XPUvsuohVkiXXj48u9veHX8Yvxu54Ydw4fkpzrGRN43-VyRrHpD8Mwlt_4DHsfCBu_3lde34dhk3jz8cRgR4r-HnahXmaE/s1600/10599683_10152313935978317_7248320313557464590_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujhtJRteQm-LWG_6d4zpGl-_RW9SYTwkFLJbOtiKkN5bZ2XPUvsuohVkiXXj48u9veHX8Yvxu54Ydw4fkpzrGRN43-VyRrHpD8Mwlt_4DHsfCBu_3lde34dhk3jz8cRgR4r-HnahXmaE/s1600/10599683_10152313935978317_7248320313557464590_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needtogetpaid aka Money with his <br />
new owner Jake H. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you ever wonder why it is that I chose this path, look at the picture to the right sent to me by Jake H. It is of him and Money, look at those faces. The duck face is pretty funny. Look how happy Money is. After 48 starts on the track, over 353,000 dollars in earnings, this war horse is getting to be this teenagers forever horse. The memories these two will make will last Jake a lifetime, and Money, well he gets a new lease on life. For Jake and Money and every other horse I have rehabbed, for every person and family I have helped find a new equine partner. That is why I do it. It is my path and it is my calling. <br />
<br />
2014 has been a incredible year of <strong><u>Blessings</u></strong> for JHF Re3 Adoption & Therapy, for the horses, their new owners, and for me. <br />
<br />
For more information on our horses and our mission visit our website at <a href="http://www.re3ottb.com/">www.re3ottb.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<em>JHF Re3 Adoption & Therapy has applied for its 501(c) non-profit status. We hope in the future to not only rehabilitate horses for new careers and homes, but to also help people by using equine based psychotherapy.</em> <br />
<br />Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-42091804020391287302014-09-23T13:28:00.001-07:002014-09-23T13:46:09.973-07:00WHAT WAS I THINKING......How Re3 started and where it is now, the birth of JHF Re3 Adoption and TherapyWow seven months, some days feel like seven years, other days seven
hours. This crazy world of horse rehabilitation that I chose to embark
on as a new turning point in my equestrian life. Why you ask, why would
any sane person (that in itself is an oxymoron in the horse world, all
horse people are crazy we are only separated by degrees) choose to take
on these used up commodities, full of emotional baggage, crappy footed,
thin skinned, ulcer ridden, crazier than a fruit bat, and whatever other derogatory stigma that comes to mind when you think of off the
track thoroughbreds (OTTBs), it's simple, THEY NEED MORE CHAMPIONS!!!
You hear it all the time, admit it. If you are a horse person the
acronym OTTB strikes almost as much fear in some horse people's hearts
as Arabian! GASPPPPP I just used both in the same sentence. Yes as a
matter of fact I did, and I might say it again. The truth is, the
problems that follow any breed are created mostly by humans, but that is
a blog for another day. Let's get back to the blog at hand. What was I
thinking, oh yeah, these horses need a second chance. Thoroughbreds
tend to have it a little rougher than most breeds. They are bred mostly
to race. To race fast, for as long as they can and not break down. The
sad truth is, not all of them are fast, some of them do break down.
Where do they go from there, after they can't race any more? Well there
are two options, #1 to slaughter, or #2 to farms like mine, with the help of
organizations like <span style="color: red;"><b><a href="http://patha.org/turning-for-home/" target="_blank" title="">Turning for Home </a></b></span>at the Parx Track in Philadelphia. <br />
Did
you just cringe at the mention of SLAUGHTER? Good you should have. I am
not here to debate the good, bad, or ugly of the horse slaughter world.
I am here to tell you that I have chosen to do my part, albeit a very
small part, to keep these animals, most under the age of 6, who have their whole lives ahead of them, from being sent to Canada or to Mexico to slaughter. Did you know horses can live into their 30's? Most race horses career ends by age 6, some go longer, but even so do the math. There are a lot of years left to account for. *Stepping
off of soapbox* <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Fy7kJ8j6H4oqS8CNy6S5mSbehyphenhyphen4w3dqlI1cti0B6LCIfJZvd_unmC0_lmLeZjUiY-ZJfTwx-ZoFxyJhhvHUhRWrMznZqirkjtQdxR4Sx8vCGmAqVPNlcv_mEdxK64HTaKS1PNDnoJzU/s1600/05-09-06+P07+Murderinthefirst+FIN_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Fy7kJ8j6H4oqS8CNy6S5mSbehyphenhyphen4w3dqlI1cti0B6LCIfJZvd_unmC0_lmLeZjUiY-ZJfTwx-ZoFxyJhhvHUhRWrMznZqirkjtQdxR4Sx8vCGmAqVPNlcv_mEdxK64HTaKS1PNDnoJzU/s1600/05-09-06+P07+Murderinthefirst+FIN_01.jpg" height="160" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Murderinthefirst Racing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bRAMSFZng0P0Axl6FXfHpT4OSjBi_eJSVXAz5d1H7G5Ns43H6m-owl-I_-UIamhG3wT9yTUdrY1Fnlsd_Mm-uZI_Xh476UiwJMS0akyKRac_xUvWcSvi2wm5CK_OV8FQ21l8hUePH8E/s1600/395618_10150450924363317_1049755137_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bRAMSFZng0P0Axl6FXfHpT4OSjBi_eJSVXAz5d1H7G5Ns43H6m-owl-I_-UIamhG3wT9yTUdrY1Fnlsd_Mm-uZI_Xh476UiwJMS0akyKRac_xUvWcSvi2wm5CK_OV8FQ21l8hUePH8E/s1600/395618_10150450924363317_1049755137_n.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Murder on the trails</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Several years ago I adopted my horse, Murderinthefirst,
through a partner farm of Turning for Home. It was love at first site.
He had been rehabbed from a tendon injury, but when he came back to the track, he was no longer fast. His heart wasn't in it anymore. He was perfectly sound for another career but he no longer had the speed to run. He needed a new career at age 6. Just like these thoroughbreds, sometimes you just have to find your
niche. "Find a need, fill a need." I have worked with and around horses
for 30 years. I have owned my farm for 17 of those 30 years introducing
people of all ages to the joy of horses, through riding lessons, horse
shows, camps, and guided trail rides. Working with these thoroughbreds
was my chance to give back to the horse community. To help a breed that
truly deserves to have a second chance at a new life, a new career that
would carry them through to old age. So that these horses may have their own person that would love and
care for them through the rest of their days. After many discussions,
number crunching, and red tape, the birth of <a href="http://www.re3ottb.com/" target="_blank"><u>JHF Re3 Adoption and Therapy</u></a> was born. We started with just two horses. White Rabbit and <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3A83LcLNOXoB2d4FTakXC8rcDJaY0P1MRRfkoe30I1rxR7681BmPmCjzozvsE05saQNLYl9Rqrx1FuU0DOaKFDouUj44jsb1P9IbHoeBY_KGeKCsU-DmSoU9sTazroG3LOpqbWAcu0A/s1600/1896904_487547148022534_1144867499_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3A83LcLNOXoB2d4FTakXC8rcDJaY0P1MRRfkoe30I1rxR7681BmPmCjzozvsE05saQNLYl9Rqrx1FuU0DOaKFDouUj44jsb1P9IbHoeBY_KGeKCsU-DmSoU9sTazroG3LOpqbWAcu0A/s1600/1896904_487547148022534_1144867499_n.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seranading Shari</td></tr>
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Seranding Shari. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CgiW3tw_dKGON2rP0STs7EoiRc_Cuwb59vbth5Z_BdRA-oZKqeOX3v1GyWYtimEVZgGyvlV5LeOdaLnLFvOLAkmWlskwoRH7fs3otgUCyl6SctMtM7yuM5xW0CesnecpqM2wGHA4YaA/s1600/1800265_487548614689054_1132797726_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CgiW3tw_dKGON2rP0STs7EoiRc_Cuwb59vbth5Z_BdRA-oZKqeOX3v1GyWYtimEVZgGyvlV5LeOdaLnLFvOLAkmWlskwoRH7fs3otgUCyl6SctMtM7yuM5xW0CesnecpqM2wGHA4YaA/s1600/1800265_487548614689054_1132797726_n.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Rabbit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since the arrival of Rabbit and Shari we have adopted these guys along with six others to amazing homes. I won't lie this isn't easy, this is not for the faint of heart. With great accomplishments come great heartache. Not every horse can be saved. Sometimes these guys do come with physical or emotional baggage that prevents them from moving on to an awesome home. My heart aches for those. I have a pity party, I cry, I get frustrated, I get mad at the world, the world that did this to these beautiful animals, these horses didn't choose this. Then I come to terms with it, I don't like it, but I come to terms. I do this for the horses. It can't all be sunshine, butterflies, and rainbows, or everyone would do it. I bask in the joy every time one of these magnificent creatures trust me enough to move forward in their training. I get a grand smile each time I take one of these majestic creatures on the trail for the first time and they prove to the world that they are not "Crazy OTTBs" and hack down the trail like they have been doing it all their lives. My heart sings each time I adopt one of these loving animals to a home where I know they will be loved and spoiled (I cry a little too, but these are happy tears). I smile with every text message that includes a picture of an owner with their new companion. That is why I do it. To share with the world what I already know. HORSES ARE IN FACT THE BEST THERAPY.<br />
<br />
JHF Re3 Adoption and Therapy has filed for our 501(c) non-profit status. We are in a fledgling stages and have had tremendous support from the horse community. All of our horses are vetted at the track and evaluated for a future career options. All known issues are fully disclosed to potential adopters. Adopters are encouraged to consult with a veterinary professional when adopting any of our horses. Adopters are required to fill out an application and sign a No-Auction/First Right of Refusal contract. We strive hard to match the right horse to the right adopter. We understand sometimes things happen and we are always willing to take a horse back into our program. We are currently accepting donations that can be retroactively written off on your taxes once the non-profit status application is approved. Our first concern is always for the horse and matching that horse with you. We are dedicated to the well being of all of the animals in our care. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us through our website. <a href="http://www.re3ottb.com/" target="_blank">www.re3ottb.com. </a>Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-83103276067330804142014-03-14T10:20:00.000-07:002014-09-23T13:38:49.601-07:00Some people find stray dogs and cats...... I bring home stray horses. The journey of "Damned Spot" As most of you have figured out by now life is not boring at Jumping H Farm. I feel like sometimes I am on an episode of "Punked" or at the very least there is a film crew in the bushes throwing weird stuff my way to see how I will react. So with that being said on with my story.<br />
<br />
Our trail ride started out like most others. It was a beautiful day in March and two college girls were in town on spring break and wanted to go on a 1hour trail ride. Seems simple enough this happens all the time. We saddle up, and off we went. We joked with the girls about how we didn't charge extra for any entertainment that happened on the trail. Maybe that was my first mistake, putting it out in the atmosphere that something could potentially happen.... Who am I kidding we NEVER have boring trail rides. Something out of the ordinary always seems to come our way. Traveling a normal trail we hear a large piece of equipment in the woods, but didn't think much of it. When you live in the foothills sounds travel and you never quite know where it is. In this case however, a man operating a large backhoe was doing work on the property where we were riding. Throwing up our hands and waving we continued on our journey, I was proud of all the horses they passed him without spooking once. Continuing on our selected path we made the first loop and now suddenly the man on the backhoe was behind us. He was lumbering forward on his huge orange Kubota backhoe motioning for me to come and talk to him, however he had not stopped his backhoe or shut it off. There was not a snowballs chance in Hades of my horse Murder walking up to that huge Gozilla looking machine. <i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjZjCKghAAVYTFeoFo9SKeWEaSE8a9p8IAl82YwMfu7JkhRm_TcEjhj5bMJ9p0dbFNAFuATDBghCsnG_pKv96DgPob7Ug79a-QW2sbNUC9EnBxxrqYfW-tprqAxsAclgtk6QKcbKSyOU/s1600/Kubota-B3000-backhoe.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjZjCKghAAVYTFeoFo9SKeWEaSE8a9p8IAl82YwMfu7JkhRm_TcEjhj5bMJ9p0dbFNAFuATDBghCsnG_pKv96DgPob7Ug79a-QW2sbNUC9EnBxxrqYfW-tprqAxsAclgtk6QKcbKSyOU/s1600/Kubota-B3000-backhoe.jpg" height="124" width="200" /></a></i>Didn't that man know all large orange tractors, or any tractor for that matter eats horses?<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjZjCKghAAVYTFeoFo9SKeWEaSE8a9p8IAl82YwMfu7JkhRm_TcEjhj5bMJ9p0dbFNAFuATDBghCsnG_pKv96DgPob7Ug79a-QW2sbNUC9EnBxxrqYfW-tprqAxsAclgtk6QKcbKSyOU/s1600/Kubota-B3000-backhoe.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> </i><i>Especially large black off the racetrack horses named Murder. "Good lord MAN don't you have enough sense to turn that thing off</i>." I was thinking that in my head, actually there were a few choice 4-letter words in that thought but I will keep this PG.<br />
<br />
<i> </i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o64w-TL2CfxznhJ4cBo2n_CSBWwKewoQjLCpwZd10doIlf3NK-M1nY5IcSvlcOxXaSwVyyOAswH5Vv8JknvLODBeei8T3dbBLDE5jozwCL288tmmFXFPRLoaN9Py9Y60V8qR8Pzz27Y/s1600/psy-gangnam-style-1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o64w-TL2CfxznhJ4cBo2n_CSBWwKewoQjLCpwZd10doIlf3NK-M1nY5IcSvlcOxXaSwVyyOAswH5Vv8JknvLODBeei8T3dbBLDE5jozwCL288tmmFXFPRLoaN9Py9Y60V8qR8Pzz27Y/s1600/psy-gangnam-style-1.jpg" height="152" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<i> </i>Murder
started doing a version of Gangum Style that would have riveled PSY. I put my hand up to signal for him to stop his attack before Murder died of heart failure, and gave him my most serious, ARE YOU FREAKIN KIDDDING ME FACE, and he finally turned Godzilla off.<br />
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He asked if we were missing a horse? "Nope all mine are at home accounted for," I said thinking to myself well duhhhhhhh if I were I would be out scouring the county for it. However all my neighbors know my horses get out in teams. It is usually the one escape artist that breaks out and leads his merry band of followers to the choice orchard grass field or the neighbors garden depending on the season. We chatted for a moment about whose it could be all the while I am thinking this man has lost his mind we are deep in the woods there are no horses in this area that I don't know. We left him to his equipment with the knowledge of this elusive wild horse in the woods. Genna thought he was off his rocker and at the moment I was inclined to agree. On down the trail we went another fifteen or twenty minutes. Now this is the part of the trail that the horses know we are headed for home and while they are well behaved they do have a little more pep to the step as we go on down the trail. Chatting among our group we come to a clearing with a small crop of pine trees off to one side... here is where it gets REALLY Interesting.<br />
<br />
If you are a horse person, and well even if you are not, you have probably heard that horses have a "fight or flight" response when they are scared. I am here to tell you Murder's is ALWAYS FLIGHT! Not sometimes, not occasionally, ALL THE TIME. His motto is I don't have to be the fastest I just have to be faster than the slowest horse. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHcgefGYXZcDkjQ2RL5Y_p9RKOLEeBU8FXK35YMF90tfgBjXl9eTAg7TFMdqX-pJFt5BfO6pVRShSnf6jaINmMw54jJOI2HGtvscqCgnmxcUFCl-1_RRbK0ZHJ2DIkivpjq5kcNWZ5q0/s1600/spooking-horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHcgefGYXZcDkjQ2RL5Y_p9RKOLEeBU8FXK35YMF90tfgBjXl9eTAg7TFMdqX-pJFt5BfO6pVRShSnf6jaINmMw54jJOI2HGtvscqCgnmxcUFCl-1_RRbK0ZHJ2DIkivpjq5kcNWZ5q0/s1600/spooking-horse.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a good example of the sideways launch.</td></tr>
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If something comes at him from behind it is amazing how fast he can tuck his butt and run. If it is in front he figures there are at least two others it will eat first and can sit and spin that would make a reining horse champion proud. Last but not least if it comes at him from the side, you BETTER be holding on with your legs, because Murder will turn into a 1200lbs kangaroo and will jump sideways and cover enough ground in one leap you would swear that Chris Angel was responsible for the optical illusion that just took place. Murder chose option #3.<br />
<br />
Out of the trees at a high rate of speed came this FAT fluffy pinto horse that looked like it came straight out of a Thelwell Pony book. For those of you unfamiliar with Thelwell this is what they look like. Imagine a pinto version of this pony coming out of the pine thicket. Complete with snorting. He might has well been breathing fire. If you ask Murder he will swear to it. <br />
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This pony had found some friends and would not be deterred from the meeting. Murder was horrified, Rocky was ambivalent, Phoenix was on the fence between fight and flight, and well Tonka drew a line in the sand and said "Buddy bring it on." I jumped off of Murder and tried to calm the crew down and see what was going to happen with this impromptu meeting. Genna piped up and said, "Mom why don't you grab Rocky's halter and catch him." Good thought, except pinto pony was not having any of it. He led me on a merry chase around all 4 horses for a good 15 minutes. All the while my trail riders were amazed that something like this could ever happen. "Damned spotted pony," I muttered to myself, and well it stuck. Damned Spot it is. After the merry chase I told Genna to head down the trail. If he followed fine if not well even better. Now you know he did. Murder however was not having it. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Damned Spot following right along behind Murder.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Damned Spot was dead on his heels, Murder decided that not only was he not going to stand still for me to mount him but that at any moment DS was going to eat him and I was going to be the sacrificial meal if that happened.<br />
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He continued to follow us all the way home and into the pasture. DS is no dummy though. He is well aware of what a barn is, but even more important he knows what a paddock gate is. He know just how far he can come to you before you can get a rope around his neck or before you can shut the gate behind him. He was very careful not to let any of those things happen the first afternoon on the Jumping H. DS stood back from the herd and observed what was to become his new domain. <br />
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After several phone calls I located DS's current owner.... His exact words, "Well he was missing but I haven't been missing him. Let me tell you the story of how I came to own that horse." I promise you that no good can come out of the conversation that followed. Apparently DS is a pasture hopper. His current owner (we will call Jack)lived next door to DS's previous owner (We will call him Fred). One day DS decided that he didn't want to live at Fred's anymore and went next door and jumped into Jack's pasture. Jack called Fred to let him know DS was in his field. Fred's response, "He's in your pasture you own him now." Apparently that was over 5 years ago. Jack's guess is that since they have moved to this new farm that DS is no longer happy with his living arrangement and has decided to seek a home elsewhere...... Apparently that is with us on the Jumping H Farm.<br />
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UPDATE: After many months of work and rehab we have found spot a home with a lovely family in Ohio!! Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-70811481187810583022013-06-26T14:01:00.000-07:002013-06-26T14:01:29.235-07:00Dressing your child like the Future Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model.....NOT!!! A young ladies battle to stay true to herself*SIGH*...... Yesterday was probably one of the most miserable days of my entire parenting life. Yes I know that sometimes I am prone to exaggeration but this time I am really not. After yesterday I am convinced our society is doomed to raise an entire generation of young ladies who see their body as a commodity to be flaunted and shared with the first boy that comes along that pays them some attention. <br />
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Yesterday I took my daughter bathing suit shopping, doesn't sound too daunting a task now does it? Well let me be the first to tell you, IT SUCKED BIG FAT ROCKS!!!!! My daughter if asked will agree.<br />
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Let me back up a moment. My daughter was invited impromtu to go on a beach trip yesterday with her brother Josh and his family. I thought GREAT Genna will love it. I called her and asked and she said "Mom I would love to go but I have outgrown all my bathing suits." I told her I would run out at lunch and would get her a couple and bring them home. Not such a big deal with the exception work to home for me is an hour commute. Anyway off I went, after all I do work near the biggest shopping area in the city. At first I thought Whewww hooo this will be a cinch. I know what she likes I will run out to one of the semi-popular stores.. It's bathing suit season after all. I get to the store and go to the swim suit section BINGO JACKPOT I send her pictures of 4 reasonably priced suits, marked down I might add due to it being mid-season. Now for me reasonably priced suits for my daughter is under $40.00, preferably WAY under 40.00 after being marked down. These suits were great! Sent her pictures (gotta love the smart phone) I got the thumbs up. They were all marked down to under 25.00 paid the cashier and off I went. That is when the trouble started......<br />
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Now what I have not shared with you is my daughter is 67 days from being 13 years old. By some miracle and grace of God she is not your typical almost 13 year old. She is still more interested in her horses and animals than boys and would rather wear boots and blue jeans than shorts. Needless to say by this description she is still the young lady that when she is in the water she wants to swim, dive, flip and not have to worry about her top coming up or her bottoms coming down. THANK GOD she still wants her one piece bathing suit. So I get home with 4-awesome suits that she has given the thumbs up on. She tries them all on, one after another I here "Mom it doesn't fit, it is too tight on my shoulders." My heart sank as I knew this meant a trip back into town 2-hour round trip in for a bathing suit that fit. That isn't even the bad part that is really just the beginning.<br />
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We have a great trip down joke about things here and there. Talk about the beach trip and such. We get to the store return the suits with no hassle and off we go on our swimsuit journey. We go to the swim suit section only to find that the suits I found were in the girls section. My pre-teen child has grown enough to be in the Juniors and Misses section. NOT ONE DAMN 1-Piece bathing suit to be found in the entire section. Every one of them was bikini or tankini (or whatever you call those things) but not one standard general state issue 1-piece bathing suit to be found. OK I thought my child is tall maybe just maybe there is a one piece in the adult women section and we will just get the small size. There were 1-piece bathing suits there however none of them made for swimming or for 13 year olds. NOT ONE! I found the strapless, the ones with ruffles to hide what we don't want the world to see (my daughter doesn't do ruffles either) and the 1-piece with enough gatherings to hide whatever body flaw you might have while showing every bit of cleavage you don't have. Not to be discouraged I say "This is only one store, we are in the shopping mecca." Not to be deterred we went on to the next one. Same thing! Junior and Misses not a single 1-piece to be found in the store. The next store the same thing no 1-pieces in junior and misses. For those of you who have not been keeping up I am now at 4- returned bathing suits, 3 stores later, 2-hours of driving, all I am missing is the Partridge in the ever elusive 1-piece swimsuit pear tree. By now I am grumpy, hot, tired, but this is not over yet. My poor child is now in tears, TEARS, I ask whats wrong and she says "I am just too big and too picky."<br />
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NOW I AM BEYOND MAD!!!!! My baby is upset because society has dictated that once you have outgrown girl size bathing suits and graduate into the Junior and Misses sizes that you MUST wear a bikini or 2-piece and let me share with you there are very FEW of them I would have let her wear even if she wanted too. HOLY COWS AND CHICKENS she wears more clothes when she is wearing her underwear than some of those bathing suits we saw. I took a deep breath and explained to her that she was not BIG for her age she was tall VERY tall and long wasted which makes the 1-piece a bit of a challenge but not un-doable. I was very proud of her decision to stay in the one piece bathing suits and as a matter of fact I was THRILLED she refused to wear "booty shorts" (as if I would let her) and if she wanted a normal bathing suit I would go to every store in Winston-Salem to find it for her. FAMOUS LAST WORDS...... <br />
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Then it hit me... girls on swim teams wear 1-piece bathing suits no frills or ruffles simple 1-piece suits designed to stay in place while you are diving and swimming!!! BINGO this evening was looking up. I took her to one of the more popular stores which by the way I had never stepped foot in and there they were.... THE HOLY GRAIL of 1-piece suits. As we rode up the escalator Genna and were looking at the rows of suits. Excitment abound. She was looking at the designs pointing out ones she would like to try. I start to look for her size...30, 32,36, 38???? WTH is this? I am not a fashionista and by this point all I want is to get my child a bathing suit. Guess what the guy assigned to the women's bathing suit section didn't know either. Go Figure. NOW my second complaint. Why is everything going to EURO sizes? We are in America and I could understand if we were in New York, California, maybe even Atlanta, but we are in good ol'Winston-Salem, NC. For petes sake just give me normal sizes. Genna and I use our best guess and reasoning for these sizes and off she goes to the dressing room. Armed with a 30, 32, 34 of each size she tries them on. Apparently she is a 36 in whatever EURO size they are using because apparently there are several. We get excited she finally tries on one and it fits and might actually fit through the swimming season (3months left). I look at the price tag and all most die of sticker shock, it has been MARKED DOWN to $80.00. Just so you know I then let out a string of VERY unlady like cusswords!!! There was not a snowballs chance in Hades that I was paying 80.00 for 1 swimsuit. I mean I just returned 4 suits and only paid 83.00 for all of them. Now I know we are at a sporting goods shop and these suits are made to shave .0004 seconds of time off your laps which could mean the difference between winning the GOLD and not, but this was not my goal. I only wanted a suit that covered the assets that the good Lord gave my daughter. I don't care how long it takes her to swim across the pool.<br />
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Once again Genna and I talked... There was no way that she could make it through the rest of the season with one suit as much as she swims. Here was our deal. We would goto some other stores that might carry theses suits to see if they were cheaper. If we didn't find any then I would bite the bullet and we would buy the 80.00 suit. The MALL surely there will be suits in the mall, I mean there are sports shops right? NOT A DARN ONE! We covered every inch of that mall. So if you are keeping score we are now up to 2-hours of driving 3-hours of shopping time, 5-stores, The ENTIRE HANES MALL, and 2-bathing suits that actually fit but were out of our budget. Finally after 2 more stores we finally found suits in our price range, well not really they were still pretty expensive but it was buy one get one half off and the other suit was within budget.<br />
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I am so disgusted with the whole thing. It should not be this hard to shop for a modest 1-piece bathing suit for juniors and misses in a price range EVERYONE can afford. At every turn all we saw were very skimpy tops and bottoms. There were some Tankinis (tank tops with bottoms) but even the bottoms on those were skimpy. I want my daughter to be proud of who she is, for WHO she is not what physical attributes she may or may not have. I certainly don't want her parading around in less material than a Victoria Secret model or Playboy bunny, not ever, but especially not at 13. I am not a prude and yes I do wear a 2-piece but I am 42 years old and I am confident enough in who I am and what I am made of to fend off any hurtful remarks or unwanted attention. I am fully aware of the ramifications as an adult. Our children are not so lucky. They have not totally developed their inner self confidence and self worth at this age. We are setting them up as a society to fail and I think that is SAD AND WRONG. I am lucky very lucky and very blessed that my child is more secure in her skin than most. She is still very sensitive but I work hard to cultivate her self esteem and praise her for making choices that go against the teenage norm.<br />
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Society should not be surprised at the number of teenage pregnancies or wonder why our youth is "sleeping around" in elementary and middle school. We allow so called fashion to dictate what our young girls wear. We as parents buy and promote what should be considered trashy and unacceptable as adults. Clothes that if a woman wears it then they are looked at as slutty but if a 13 year old wears it then she is CUTE. WAKE UP PARENTS!!!!! . Shorts so short their butts hang out and tops so low you don't have to wonder their bra size. HELLO am I the ONLY parent in America that considers this a problem? I am not suggesting that we put our children in burlap sacks or that the Victorian collar come back into style. I am talking about SELF RESPECT. Respect your children enough to say no to clothes that reveal too much skin. Here is a novel thought TEACH them about self respect. Let them know it is OK to walk across the grain and not fit in with the clickish crowd. Don't let your child be a statistic. Clothes are not the only issue our societies children are having to fight with, but it is certainly one as parents we can control. <br />
<br />Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-679625079531122162013-04-18T20:13:00.000-07:002013-04-18T20:31:24.848-07:00Raised in a barn......<span style="font-size: large;"><span id="goog_1999936452"></span><span id="goog_1999936454"></span>"Raised in a Barn" I am sure is meant to be a derogatory comment meaning that you do not have the manners to travel in polite society, however I disagree. When I think of "Raised in a Barn" I smile proudly and say as a matter of fact I was raised in a barn. Let me tell you what it TRULY means ..... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I try to live my life by these lessons and teach my daughter and riding students the same thing. These are all important things that when practiced will carry you far in life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You learn <strong>Responsibility</strong>- Caring for something other than yourself. Horses require a 365 day a year commitment. Horses must be fed and watered, stalls cleaned, horses groomed, jumps to paint. There is always work to be done around the farm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You learn about <strong>Friendship</strong>- you will make friends at the barn that will last a lifetime. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brook Acres Farm Equestrian Team</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Horse Summer Camp at Jumping H Farm</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumping H Farm and Celebrity Farms showing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing at TTC Best Friends were made from these days</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back Many Moons Ago</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You learn <strong>Compassion</strong>- No horse ever chooses to be neglected. Sometimes you make the choice to step in and make a difference, because it is the right thing to do. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3RdJ3jxlsBijETY3a_f1yrg8qECl7sdkJj8BqSvLuTg-vdE1G2NIcv0-1RpI9_pK-oSSrtUgsdTedPML3IVBozSadqhzjYHabv-QHgW-wAAehci1Wir0y2_HZUcfAz1SHY76zZp-Om4/s1600/2011-03-05_13-16-12_796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3RdJ3jxlsBijETY3a_f1yrg8qECl7sdkJj8BqSvLuTg-vdE1G2NIcv0-1RpI9_pK-oSSrtUgsdTedPML3IVBozSadqhzjYHabv-QHgW-wAAehci1Wir0y2_HZUcfAz1SHY76zZp-Om4/s400/2011-03-05_13-16-12_796.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Day We Brought Ruby Home.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You learn to <strong>See Past the Surface</strong>. - That with TLC and Time anything is possible. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0pTHCUXQx5DdJu3zyqiy-ondUh6lIRZJoz7UENPquMx0aw4OoQN7uTYCU959ohhbjYLTLoNXOTLKm_je8ZTRQ2meg8cSjRZ6nxXjoT6-3DPOvBIFmqX2CDxB8HYphg9l0CJ0tJIrItA/s1600/7534484_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0pTHCUXQx5DdJu3zyqiy-ondUh6lIRZJoz7UENPquMx0aw4OoQN7uTYCU959ohhbjYLTLoNXOTLKm_je8ZTRQ2meg8cSjRZ6nxXjoT6-3DPOvBIFmqX2CDxB8HYphg9l0CJ0tJIrItA/s400/7534484_orig.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ruby 18 months after we brought her home winning ribbons at local horse show</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You learn about the <strong>Value of a Dollar</strong>- There is nothing quite as sweet as saving your own money to buy a new saddle.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbksFkrbLXTtWsDlSxUrPuxTKFMyz1OkyG0OPtyXrOR7b3jVUkmWQtMPH8ddIxyFoAws3aQZjYhXkT-jRpYhLGR2FuJgdMuWXayFQkFXnj0ZMjA-i74H76N3vfmfvMvuzJaRBSjm4sFk/s1600/Picture827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbksFkrbLXTtWsDlSxUrPuxTKFMyz1OkyG0OPtyXrOR7b3jVUkmWQtMPH8ddIxyFoAws3aQZjYhXkT-jRpYhLGR2FuJgdMuWXayFQkFXnj0ZMjA-i74H76N3vfmfvMvuzJaRBSjm4sFk/s320/Picture827.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Genna's purchase of her first Saddle with her own Money.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You learn about <strong>Humility</strong>- It's not always about winning the ribbon- sometimes it's about just staying on your horse </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZ040QlBzxlUWA7dxbbf_Jx7V7W7jNxn8T6tvJrdFAzWMIyx1FSr6ZjczYCQjgVVUlxkgTKEBdZuz-I9yS86AiA_IwOn2iPRzqdrXxoUUZGaJJF5YqLCCVkMJP_GMvUH2jygVNGhLEhI/s1600/2009-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZ040QlBzxlUWA7dxbbf_Jx7V7W7jNxn8T6tvJrdFAzWMIyx1FSr6ZjczYCQjgVVUlxkgTKEBdZuz-I9yS86AiA_IwOn2iPRzqdrXxoUUZGaJJF5YqLCCVkMJP_GMvUH2jygVNGhLEhI/s320/2009-3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Genna learning to jump Reba Bareback.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> You learn to <strong>Take Pride</strong> in a job well done. - This was a mother's proud moment.
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBb00TOz32XuKWJhpLXF_OwfXOOPKMKNJB8imMxqY3GjGOwp0k03dmzh_SFUhbtH7Jdyh7IV3zbFth4y6o-DDeGY-YBrugap3aj96qsrZbPvAqJlVtw5fyx76Y8_XKopL9WpATKzvgZ4/s1600/13950_197787028316_7238238_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBb00TOz32XuKWJhpLXF_OwfXOOPKMKNJB8imMxqY3GjGOwp0k03dmzh_SFUhbtH7Jdyh7IV3zbFth4y6o-DDeGY-YBrugap3aj96qsrZbPvAqJlVtw5fyx76Y8_XKopL9WpATKzvgZ4/s320/13950_197787028316_7238238_n.jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Genna's First Blue Ribbon Walk Trot Canter</td></tr>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You learn to <strong>Explore Your Boundaries- </strong>Some of your greatest adventures will be achieved while looking through the ears of your horse. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DPEHM3ivuEzwgEnIt9Bpg_LM3gUAbajOrJ3V2N1MOrzBKoh5WMEa_Y_oTcNwkGEWcTos8wNp2N7S3Z7AUsBVLpAcdd2G1z2FHn0eHuIHDVjY0mIZP9t4WunRWyTbMwIQ82Aj3PGVMQ0/s1600/DSCN3260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DPEHM3ivuEzwgEnIt9Bpg_LM3gUAbajOrJ3V2N1MOrzBKoh5WMEa_Y_oTcNwkGEWcTos8wNp2N7S3Z7AUsBVLpAcdd2G1z2FHn0eHuIHDVjY0mIZP9t4WunRWyTbMwIQ82Aj3PGVMQ0/s320/DSCN3260.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Genna riding Tonka leading a trail ride.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27iXawX23rJBTOfghd4_4ZFRk66e7gLkaAVsxQ7ylKrUKMfAcE4rFXa9FSP9diVZR2RsZz97qrIa4bgtMCOJ6K7jba-kadXt7TwgkuoD72XHBTuJiHSrh8R4RGdd3fm5VYBHJbqYZXT8/s1600/DSCN3213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27iXawX23rJBTOfghd4_4ZFRk66e7gLkaAVsxQ7ylKrUKMfAcE4rFXa9FSP9diVZR2RsZz97qrIa4bgtMCOJ6K7jba-kadXt7TwgkuoD72XHBTuJiHSrh8R4RGdd3fm5VYBHJbqYZXT8/s320/DSCN3213.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuylvXVf4ag5T3aprQeNgZbY-e-KAV8s3ubiVZSmVzr4Ci5PsfDx8yukwSCsLyY6OOOFHj_tA8cEsxTpQVusqFIn39SomQqPyOnLsQZw_OCtUZtg4texULbEuaJm_-9alSGUSRgUQxoAk/s1600/DSCN3215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuylvXVf4ag5T3aprQeNgZbY-e-KAV8s3ubiVZSmVzr4Ci5PsfDx8yukwSCsLyY6OOOFHj_tA8cEsxTpQVusqFIn39SomQqPyOnLsQZw_OCtUZtg4texULbEuaJm_-9alSGUSRgUQxoAk/s320/DSCN3215.JPG" width="277" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7a8S45da4RjbKmeu2Hs_ZeQUn5HO_H2klK-ecXsDk9D3HRF5xnk6C56aSwwjVarpkBdhyWRqQ1Rf6F6ClhwWtk6dd3qcHTBYk8I5ACDA8m81wGHughHMb4xKzrc3LB-eSkLIW9tWa54Q/s1600/DSCN2290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7a8S45da4RjbKmeu2Hs_ZeQUn5HO_H2klK-ecXsDk9D3HRF5xnk6C56aSwwjVarpkBdhyWRqQ1Rf6F6ClhwWtk6dd3qcHTBYk8I5ACDA8m81wGHughHMb4xKzrc3LB-eSkLIW9tWa54Q/s320/DSCN2290.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You learn <strong>Patience</strong>- When working with young horses it takes time, consistency and work. It makes the successes all the sweeter when you finally get it right. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdQOn-XN7VxVWOrYe9CJTEmvZoUN94CUGWssSe8DatwHOMiqg7CUP2N1GpEyLWbzlhCHBqIWSzv-HImTS4J-ImmrHjqAUdqfV72zhHARONCI1UWWpYmn3XrrGbBrKefo0vEwg-XLUoZw/s320/20130414_151606-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tonka finally jumping with Genna riding Bareback.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You learn about <strong>Fashion</strong>-Pretty is not always practical, Comfortable or cool. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLU6b6OZYsdU4bdCoBmVO24r2Kph1KpSZG_9yv7Ip74IPvwvDeJXbQUbRCvWbuLZ04WqlVifQPUCc0A9rk-aoQEVBnJbvtdQ6wLxpb1_ezXRfgItYoV8ZIqflG6g3YGlIeHjMnessrwAk/s1600/524543_10151035448803317_577745331_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLU6b6OZYsdU4bdCoBmVO24r2Kph1KpSZG_9yv7Ip74IPvwvDeJXbQUbRCvWbuLZ04WqlVifQPUCc0A9rk-aoQEVBnJbvtdQ6wLxpb1_ezXRfgItYoV8ZIqflG6g3YGlIeHjMnessrwAk/s320/524543_10151035448803317_577745331_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You learn about <strong>Disappointments</strong> - Sometimes you have to choose whats right for the horse even when you have worked hard to get to the show. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlnKXihY5OthHUPBsx44T8i36cWFluSWv0vMuEEHLp6rQ-JZS798VWnp6pY_5FG9_yMS4NsFfiH8whTizaGfCwjddLR2tFNKqMpZIMX_jJAi3LHVxEpb1YVeqgOFK3X5wGAyosyHFUpM/s1600/P1010882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlnKXihY5OthHUPBsx44T8i36cWFluSWv0vMuEEHLp6rQ-JZS798VWnp6pY_5FG9_yMS4NsFfiH8whTizaGfCwjddLR2tFNKqMpZIMX_jJAi3LHVxEpb1YVeqgOFK3X5wGAyosyHFUpM/s320/P1010882.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tonka ended up tweaking his pastern while warming up for their first dressage test. Knocking them out of showing for the day.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You learn about <strong>Great Friends</strong>- Someone providing a Plan B so you can show when your horse gets injured. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0j892zBCYLRrhxj14oYJYsTR3KMmNeFJopj1V1Xg31DoXojbTvkQfxRUrHRHaGjKTTf96XLEtYw5bvJRpenHnJOn8IjK_UhfpY7-dzfTY05un_ssR1kb2O4oFjsCP1enDmAL3UZL2HyQ/s1600/547144_10151035448153317_602505149_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0j892zBCYLRrhxj14oYJYsTR3KMmNeFJopj1V1Xg31DoXojbTvkQfxRUrHRHaGjKTTf96XLEtYw5bvJRpenHnJOn8IjK_UhfpY7-dzfTY05un_ssR1kb2O4oFjsCP1enDmAL3UZL2HyQ/s320/547144_10151035448153317_602505149_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Genna showing Roman's Celebrity (Owned by Mike and Ginny Taber) instead of Tonka for her first Dressage Test.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You learn about <strong>Sportsmanship</strong>- Some of your greatest friends will be the people you compete against every weekend. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUx33ubPuiQA5yuoqb-LnmcJrYH3wB-u6mKBZop9kFXMwI7mqdi5QHebRoOgzuJL2VZtKAHCnWMboXGmeyL-m5LeK8Hr-n2nVyNq_WaeCvsPdsQeoeHi1q4arbKulzJMAXlmCtAZHB_M/s1600/207937_10151063189783317_614968227_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUx33ubPuiQA5yuoqb-LnmcJrYH3wB-u6mKBZop9kFXMwI7mqdi5QHebRoOgzuJL2VZtKAHCnWMboXGmeyL-m5LeK8Hr-n2nVyNq_WaeCvsPdsQeoeHi1q4arbKulzJMAXlmCtAZHB_M/s320/207937_10151063189783317_614968227_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> You learn that life is full of <strong>Hard Knocks- </strong>Not to mention the ground is hard. You either learn to get up and dust yourself off and remount or take the long walk back to the barn. (There is a story here)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoGKwDCbLyg-MnzlikH2U-_1QGxYtEPKReyYKfOfOK1YIUkRQUK2GvXahFQmUiRVb56Mxa2a_M4TqVS7nLrVUSnwQGjdUDPbHKlimNSaJ3lQVSzHAA0WJLr-OXaCyCqR7xbs5iog3qtY/s1600/378383_10150389080913317_760038316_8452804_428546878_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoGKwDCbLyg-MnzlikH2U-_1QGxYtEPKReyYKfOfOK1YIUkRQUK2GvXahFQmUiRVb56Mxa2a_M4TqVS7nLrVUSnwQGjdUDPbHKlimNSaJ3lQVSzHAA0WJLr-OXaCyCqR7xbs5iog3qtY/s320/378383_10150389080913317_760038316_8452804_428546878_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It was only a sorta long walk back to the barn to catch Blue.</span> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You learn about <strong>Love</strong>. There is no greater bond than a little girl and their ho</span><span style="font-size: large;">rse</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYA7vWI7I2563owBqvOnap5JTLXWaOIVNnvZIB4k_kWUiRXJlsl7q4KMtaz0SWvODxhc2yDNRM7gr9EZboOpPHQYAmR4YWKEurS0SxW-3dTcAZ2JuchywgdAK_aEDTVd1sREdTD8UFQVY/s1600/2011-4545967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYA7vWI7I2563owBqvOnap5JTLXWaOIVNnvZIB4k_kWUiRXJlsl7q4KMtaz0SWvODxhc2yDNRM7gr9EZboOpPHQYAmR4YWKEurS0SxW-3dTcAZ2JuchywgdAK_aEDTVd1sREdTD8UFQVY/s320/2011-4545967.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> You learn about <strong>Heartache</strong>. Losing a horse is like losing a best friend.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYejz3N6frQPc8sdyGNmUzdfGkPYMb0_GJwpHdUqNSVvRREv9gVK0m2VBfUKLwXFR-CNXi9T1TSYWbL8_dIwWDzD_z-YOVjw0Hka4km9l8Oz8iZ4VMFNipO9R53cXH1g3g2sqgO7CbOzo/s1600/149114_462946933316_1115271_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYejz3N6frQPc8sdyGNmUzdfGkPYMb0_GJwpHdUqNSVvRREv9gVK0m2VBfUKLwXFR-CNXi9T1TSYWbL8_dIwWDzD_z-YOVjw0Hka4km9l8Oz8iZ4VMFNipO9R53cXH1g3g2sqgO7CbOzo/s320/149114_462946933316_1115271_n.jpg" width="247" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Genna's first real partner in crime her pony Reba.</span> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You learn about <strong>Freedom</strong>. The wind in your face as gallop through an open field. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SM4gsiTLIKIHuzR_ZhApG2PFHBqWi7e50qdTA70J2SUqOsrxmRLn-_vV6s7S7-AqMvQA5J3-3KBGUTPTbkpQM5oCl4EQhiFMV6mfC1DJ2Fm4gb_33yoeIUw7fxqjfixV2pGDFmHF6Rw/s1600/149694_462946798316_760038316_5682122_821427_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SM4gsiTLIKIHuzR_ZhApG2PFHBqWi7e50qdTA70J2SUqOsrxmRLn-_vV6s7S7-AqMvQA5J3-3KBGUTPTbkpQM5oCl4EQhiFMV6mfC1DJ2Fm4gb_33yoeIUw7fxqjfixV2pGDFmHF6Rw/s320/149694_462946798316_760038316_5682122_821427_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Genna galloping Reba through the field.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You learn about <strong>Accomplishment</strong>. There is no greater feeling than riding a horse and knowing you have put all you have into the very moment when everything goes right. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVleW778-a0FlAS18hkVg03UP14efJazBie373mT-RtY2i-zL7bo1zwQRHAkpNKNZKligVjYLiqPWO9__MLlEZ2wwvqmKfpHGwetSJZrFOcKAgWLLkZ_pZnhF4IFYXy_wIWAlGoCD11kU/s1600/2009-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVleW778-a0FlAS18hkVg03UP14efJazBie373mT-RtY2i-zL7bo1zwQRHAkpNKNZKligVjYLiqPWO9__MLlEZ2wwvqmKfpHGwetSJZrFOcKAgWLLkZ_pZnhF4IFYXy_wIWAlGoCD11kU/s320/2009-1.jpg" width="272" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Genna's first jumping show. She was so afraid she would forget her course.</span> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> You learn about <strong>Partnership</strong>. You can tell your hopes, dreams, successes and failures to your horse and they will love you just the same. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZiM8StSuvhejtfixJ4kZ8KQLApSC_NjtPjlFEWji2AbJGQSTD4zimllMDVwgPb-ZzVkQL3RtcoYuDx5dpek5650kliyDzYONO8YA4S4ExAp9Q3i62fIac_BryrebFIhnO6u-o1V9hmMw/s1600/20121124_091028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZiM8StSuvhejtfixJ4kZ8KQLApSC_NjtPjlFEWji2AbJGQSTD4zimllMDVwgPb-ZzVkQL3RtcoYuDx5dpek5650kliyDzYONO8YA4S4ExAp9Q3i62fIac_BryrebFIhnO6u-o1V9hmMw/s320/20121124_091028.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Genna giving Tonka some pony love.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You learn that <strong>Every Horse is Different</strong> and has something to <strong>TEACH</strong> you- Much like meeting new people. Each person and horse has his or her own personality, strengths and weaknesses. Acceptance of those strengths and weaknesses will carry you well in your life's relationships. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So you see every time you go to the barn, every time you put your foot in the stirrup, hop on your horse bareback, groom your horse, clean it's stall, you learn about life. Every horse you encounter will touch your life in some way, much like the people you meet. So the next time someone complains about the time you are spending at the barn, or your worried about whether you should get your child involved in horses, just know there are LIFE LESSONS to be learned and shared. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zoHmCpH0Z_VmvOEKKiqIacfeAUyVHbroJ_9bVUy61TIRgB34URjxggd3aEg28m74L13B_Dcbvpggq-nZnswUsw-GbJrxhI-TlOi9CCrGBeVNBbuP7W3vOGkXnKK8TD4aeYsrtZD5ero/s1600/P1010866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zoHmCpH0Z_VmvOEKKiqIacfeAUyVHbroJ_9bVUy61TIRgB34URjxggd3aEg28m74L13B_Dcbvpggq-nZnswUsw-GbJrxhI-TlOi9CCrGBeVNBbuP7W3vOGkXnKK8TD4aeYsrtZD5ero/s640/P1010866.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom, Me, and Genna</td></tr>
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Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-45955757874727098472013-04-17T10:35:00.002-07:002013-04-17T10:35:29.137-07:00A Reflection... I think I'm on the right trackAs a parent you want to raise your children right, but right in whose eyes? In the current culture we live in there are so many theories about the "Right" way and the "Wrong" way to raise your child. To punish or not to punish, corporal or the time out corner. Everywhere you turn there are fanatics on all sides. I decided long ago that I wanted to raise my child(ren) in the country, specifically on a farm. Away from the hustle and bustle where children could play, be outside, and enjoy nature. There are drawbacks to this of course but I feel the positive influence of being raised on a farm with a solid work ethic, knowing that no matter what the weather there are animals that need and depend on us for their care and well being. Putting another living creatures health and well being ahead of your own wants. Empowering our children to make decisions based on what they have learned from us as parents. For our child(ren) to be held accountable for their choices, positive and negative, would serve them well in the "REAL WORLD". I would like to think every parent strives to teach their children right from wrong with positive influences to back them up in these teachings. As our children grow up and hit those pre-teen and the dreaded teenage years it is nice to see some small reflection in them of what they have been taught. Not one prodded out of them because they think that is what we as parents wants to hear but an honest moment of clarity that you get, just a fleeting glimpse even they don't realize it. I was blessed with such a moment this week. My twelve year old daughter Genna is studying poetry in school. One of her assignments was writing different types of poems. All of her poems are good but this one touched my heart. With her permission, I will share her poem with you now. I have made plenty of mistakes as a parent. This list is way to long to write, however in this single season of her life I think I am on the right track . I could not be more proud than I am right now. The assignment was to write an "I AM" poem: <br />
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<br />
I AM<br />
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I am country and a girl<br />
I wonder how the world naturally revolves around the sun<br />
I hear my favorite country song at school<br />
I see God everywhere<br />
I want to see the true in people<br />
I am country and a girl<br />
I pretend there aren't any limits<br />
I feel loved<br />
I touch peoples hearts<br />
I worry about the drought during harvest season<br />
I cry for fallen soldiers<br />
I am country and a girl<br />
I understand I can't have everything I want<br />
I say God is real<br />
I dream about owning my own farm<br />
I try my best in everything I do<br />
I hope you get whatever you want<br />
I am country and a girl<br />
written by Genevieve Huttar 1-24-13<br />
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<br />Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-23526347740264730082013-03-01T06:39:00.001-08:002013-03-01T06:39:17.178-08:00Skeleton in the closet...... Addiction (a loved ones perspective)<span style="font-size: large;">Whew just the title makes me cringe as I write. All families have skeletons they try to keep firmly in a closet. For years addiction has been a taboo subject people only whispered about. If you were an addict you were ostracized from the family or maybe the family tried to keep it hidden and dealt with it privately. Some still do. Addicts and addictions come in many different forms. When you think of addicts most people picture the bum on the street with the bottle of cheap wine, a person at the corner bar drinking his/her life away, the drug deal taking place on the corner, or more recently the meth lab found in some remote rural area that you hear about on the news after it has blown up. <em>I always have wondered why people who never passed a middle school science class think "Hey lets make meth and sell it... how hard can it be"?</em> Then BOOM they are surprised when their building blows up. I am here to tell you all of the previous mentioned are very real, some not very smart but real all the same. These are the addicts you see or hear about the most. They are the exception rather than the rule. Look around you, co-workers, members of your church, the neighbor down the street in your quaint "Leave it to Beaver or Mayberry" neighborhood. This is where you will find most addiction. Otherwise crazy brilliant people with so much talent. Business suits or blue jeans, young or old, race, creed, color, and sexual orientation don't matter, addiction does not discriminate. I am not here to quote statistics, as a matter of fact I can't quote the first one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What I can do is tell you what I have seen, heard, and felt when someone you love has an addiction and there is NOTHING you can do to fix it. It is the most befuddling, painful, mind boggling, heart wrenching experience you will have, short of the death of a loved one. Addiction in some ways is worse. If that seems a little over the top, then you have never walked in my shoes.<strong> </strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>"I want to be an addict when I grow up"</strong>, said NO person EVER. I am sure there are hundreds or maybe even thousands of reasons and explanations as to why it happens. Scientific, psychological, enviroment, upbringing, peer pressure, escape from reality, or "I will just try it once", are some of the top things that come to mind. Once an addict walks through that door (or gateway as it is sometimes called) for the first time they will spend their entire life trying to get back out. Addiction runs the gamut it can be alcohol, drugs (legal and illegal), gambling, other substance forms, and activities that can't be controlled or moderated. Just because you have participated in the activities mentioned above doesn't mean your an addict, <strong>but you might be</strong>. Denial is not just a river in Egypt. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Addiction in the dictionary is defined- </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>"T</u></strong><span id="hotword"><strong><u><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">he</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">condition</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">being</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">abnormally</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">dependent</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">on</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">some</span> </u></strong><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;"><strong><u>habit"</u></strong> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">Over the course of my life I have seen the cycle of addiction. The ups and downs the success and failures of loved ones fighting to win over addiction. If you are reading this and not one single person comes to mind when you hear the word ADDICTION....... Then ding ding ding you have scored big on the roulette wheel of life go buy a lottery ticket! GO HUG EVERY MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY and COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!!! Hell do these things anyway. They may think you have lost your mind but you and I will both know the real reason. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;">I haved watched loved ones and aquaintences with addictions waste such amazing skills and talent. Natural gifts, talents and intellengence that will boggle your mind, throw away everything in their life, friends, family, relationships, careers all for the next fix (whatever that may be). Addiction is an internal struggle, people who recognize they are an addict battle this fight every day of their life. They are wired differently than people without addictions or an addictive personality (As I have heard it called). Why do I know this? I have seen it first hand, listened intently at the pain and suffering of loved ones trying to make sense of the why and how, studied, read, wrote, asked questions to those with addictions and prayed on the very subject. Prayed every day and often. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;">All addictions have similarities but not all addictions are the same. The one thing that every recovering addict will tell you..... </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><strong>"I had to want help and I had to hit rock bottom. "</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;">All addicts experience FEAR in their life, it's an acronym. What might seem like a normal everyday occurrence, day to day reality if you will, to me or you will send an addict into a tailspin. The addiction is their comfort zone the escape from reality. It is THEIR REALITY it is THEIR MASTER. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><strong>F- Forget <span style="font-size: small;">(or the F word in the non-PG version)</span></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><strong>E- Everything</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><strong>A- And</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><strong>R- Run</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;">There will be excuses, justifications, lies, or at the very least denial that there is even a problem. Please understand if you are watching this happen there is NOTHING YOU CAN DO to fix it you can only handle how you react. Only the person with the addiction can fix it, even then it depends on the severity and only with the right kind of help. People with addictions are the only people that can truly understand other addicts and their behaviors. I have been priviledged enough to have information openly shared with me when I asked the hard questions. Knowledge is vital and key in understanding the thought process, the cause and affect. </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;">It was explained to me one time and I paraphrase <strong><em>"Every day I build a wall between me and my addiction. There are days when it is easier than others, some days I don't think about using as much, but when I become really stressed, tired or upset that is the first thing I think about, USING. The best I can do is try to plug the hole in the dam by talking to my sponsor, go to an extra meeting, and pray for the strength to overcome the urge."</em></strong> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;">Being someone on the outside watching the struggles of someone I love trying to beat addiction is heartbreaking. This is a horrible disease, habit, problem, DNA code. I am not here to argue semantics if addiction is a mindset, DNA driven, or disease. To<em><strong>may</strong></em>to - To<em><strong>maaa</strong></em>to ...I will not debate this issue. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;">What I KNOW TO BE TRUE is ADDICTION IS REAL and crippling to the addict and the people that love them. There is hope and there is help for someone suffering from an addiction and their loved ones. Wow that sounded like a rehab commercial and it certainly was not meant to be. :) Please educate yourself. Don't think for a skinny second you can fix this on your own or even deal with it on your own. That is no more feasible than the addict believing they can "just quit" anytime they want or do it by themselves. Sure they might for a while but they will relapse without outside help. Trust me I have seen it with my own eyes. Not every program helps every person but I will share with you what I have learned. Be open! If you are going through this reach out. There are people like me willing to listen. (There are professionals that can help loved ones and are far more qualified than me but sometimes an ear and a shoulder is a good place to start). There is strength in numbers. Find a support group that deals with addictions. If you are the person ready to admit you have an addiction, REACH OUT please by all means REACH OUT. I have been told that no matter what your story of rock bottom is there with be another person's addiction story that will make you go WOW are you kidding me, mine is not quite so bad after all. Awareness, education, and a support system are key for addicts and their families. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><strong>Addicts</strong> will deny they have a problem, play the part of the victim or play the blame game.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><strong>Recovering Addicts</strong> will admit they were the director of their own story. Their life was not taken from them but that they gave everything away, addiction was their master. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">If you want more information about addiction check out this website. </span><a href="http://www.na.org/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.na.org/</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> Narcotics Anonymous. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Every person has their way of coping with a loved ones addiction, mine is to write. If this blog has given you some insight please feel free to share, comment or subscribe to my blog. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can't choose your family, your only hope is to love and understand them to the best of your ability. For all the ups and downs I wouldn't change one single member of my family. I love them all dearly. I may want to strangle them sometimes, but I am told that is normal. Let's hope so :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Below is a poem I wrote in 2008 during a particularly difficult time in my family. Until now only a select handful of people had seen this poem. This explains my feelings better than the blog. </span><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">The War Within</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">I don’t understand the choices they make</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Their body suffers, so little care they take,</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Is it nature, genetics, the way they are made</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Or does it all begin as a way to escape</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">It’s a world I watch every day</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">My heart is broken tears fall where they may.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">They make the choice wanting to get well</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">The addiction is stronger sometimes they fail</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">I give my love, watch them cope</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Wanting to help but I’m afraid to hope</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Can't they see it tears apart</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">The very ones who love them with all their heart</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">This vicious cycle we have seen before</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">How can their bodies stand much more</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Each day they win the harder we pray</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow seems like it will be a much brighter day</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">I stand outside this foreign life</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">I get mad and angry at the pain and strife</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Such talented souls trapped in a prison</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Mind and bodies addicted to the poison</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">I remove myself and stay just outside</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">For fear if I don’t I will lose my mind</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">My love is strong and always there</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Even when it seems that I don’t care</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">The struggles are many and the pain is tough</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">You begin to feel like love is just not enough</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">I pray each day God will deliver the strength</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">For each of us has gone to a great many lengths</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">The inner battles continue with the war that rages</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Will it free the battered souls from the chains and cages</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">The prison will continue while the addiction is fought</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">We all hold our breath as freedom is sought</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">I have to believe that after the war</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">The inner battles will be no more</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Peace will be won and there will come a time</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">When we will all be as one, this family of mine</span></em></div>
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<em>Nicole Huttar Sept. 2008</em></div>
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<br />Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-54897714427541910602013-02-27T14:14:00.002-08:002013-02-27T17:50:54.401-08:00Take time to smell the manu.... er I mean Roses (Blessings at every turn)<span style="font-size: large;">I had a moment yesterday. Ok I had several moments but the one I am referring to made me stop and think. Yesterday was my 42nd Birthday. Some people have a problem announcing their age to the world but I don't seem to have that issue. I have earned every great, wonderful, exciting, horrible, crappy, scare the hell out of you, interesting, dull, non-descript moment in my life. In reality I am responsible for every adjective of those moments I just described. The good, bad and the ugly, not to be cliche. I decided a while back that no one should have to do anything they really don't want to do on their birthday so for me I decided to take the day off from work. It was a cold, rainy, dreary day anyway so why not stay in my pjs all day. Sounded like the perfect plan to me. I took my daughter to school in my pjs, fed the horses in my pjs aided with my winter quilted zip-up suit and duck boots of course. Mind you my definition of pjs does not swing towards the cute little flimsy lingerie you see on the Vicki Secrets commercial. Hey I live in a 150 year old drafty farm house and this is February. You are lucky that I am not dressed as Nanook of the North. I did however have on some thermal leggings and a t-shirt. Sitting on the couch under a blanket watching the rain out the bay window lamenting at the fact that it was cold enough to freeze the rain on the trees but the ground was just warm enough to make the rest of the farm into a cross between soggy grass sponge and mud pudding. Then it hit me... what a crappy day to have a birthday. Birthdays shouldn't be cold, rainy and muddy or should they? My birthday is in February the likely hood of me having a warm dry birthday are pretty slim. In fact I am reminded every time my God Mother comes to town I was born on a day just like yesterday. Cold, bone chilling, rainy day. This is where my moment came. Sure it is a crappy rainy winter day but for the most part I really don't mind. I would prefer not to have a week or so of these yucky days in a row but an occasional rainy day gives me an excuse to be inside or maybe trap me inside would be more correct. I would prefer Mother Nature spread the precipitation factor out a little more evenly but if not I will put on my big girl panties and deal with it. In reality I am very close to living my ultimate dream. Growing up all I wanted to do was work with horses and own a horse farm. CHECK! The second thing was be able to share my love and passion of horses with other people wanting to enjoy these creatures as much as I do. CHECK! Third thing is to share this passion with my daughter DOUBLE CHECK!!! She is quickly becoming a far better rider than I have ever been. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Somewhere in the last 10 years or so a dear friend of mine in the horsey community told me "Nicole you need to slow down, you are burning the candle at both ends. You will soon burn out if you don't." At the time I tucked that information away for a future reference thinking nahhh I will slow down when I achieve my ultimate goal of running a horse farm full time. As I got older my life goals and dreams changed a bit and had gotten off course. Unlike many of my fellow horsey friends that work with horses full time (I am admittedly jealous) I took a slightly different path toward to my Full Time Horsey Reality. Three years before I bought my farm (I leased a facility before this) I started a career in the Information Technology field. My 10 year plan was to buy a farm and set it up to be a full time working horse farm by 35. This was a goal I DID NOT achieve, a BLESSING in disguise. By the time age 35 rolled around I had a daughter to raise and I wanted to make sure she was provided for. As most horse people know the winter can be pretty unforgiving. Now understand while I love a good pot of pintos and homemade cornbread, not to mention mac and cheese or ramen noodles I don't want them to be a staple dinner item through the winter months. I did not feel it was fair to drag someone with no say in the matter through my winter fasting. (Kidding on the fasting part. I will NEVER miss a meal). So this dream while still obtainable would have to wait. My priorities had shifted it was no longer about me and mine but hers. In my 30's I made some decisions, VERY TOUGH ones and not all of them smart. As a matter of fact I can honestly say WOW some of them were STUPID. The old saying goes, "IF YOU GONNA BE STUPID YOU BETTER BE TOUGH." Thank goodness I am not short on tenacity and drive. Due to some of my decisions I am now faced the reality of debt. Wanting things now buying on credit.... blah blah blah you know the drill. I know I am not alone but I don't want to walk in their shoes either. I have enough manure on my own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> When I turned 40 I decided that I wanted to be out of debt by 45. That means EVERYTHING but my mortgage paid off by the time I am 45. I am proud to say I am on my way down the right path. Now mind you I still scrape by from time to time or have to borrow short term if my reserve falls short. Horses will do that to you. There is always the unforeseen expense or the next vet bill lurking around the corner. My dreams they are still there. I receive little blessings everyday to let me know I am on the right path. A note from a friend that I made her giggle with a post I made when she was having a bad day, somebody stopping me in the hall to tell me they appreciate my smile and wit, A random stranger that has heard about my accident asking me to speak with their daughter so she understands the importance of safety, compliments on what a lovely driven young lady my daughter has become, a pep talk from a friend when I am having a bad day, but most of all the hedge of love I feel from family and friends who truly get me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just so you know I have heeded my friends advice. I have slowed down somewhat, I have nothing to prove to anyone but my daughter and God. That comment may surprise you but I will tell you why it was made. The best shot anyone has of raising their children is to lead by example. As a parent you are either in or out of their life everyday. Even if you do everything right (which is impossible) there are still no guarantees. Your only hope is to be the person you want your child to emanate most. As far as God is concerned, it is MY BELIEF he is the very definition of LOVE. I believe he put me on this earth to do great things for others through my passion for horses on a grand scale. Besides raising an INCREDIBLE daughter my Ultimate dream for myself is to enrich others in a GRAND way through my passion for horses. Not just people who want to learn to ride but people who need something to focus on besides their own issues. I believe there is therapeutic healing for humans when you work with horses. This year I changed my farm's logo to reflect that. "Jumping H Farm- Where life's priorities are clear, When you take a step back it is not just about horses, its about Love, Life, and Learning." This will be my ultimate blessing. It may not happen today, tomorrow or next week but it will happen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"IF YOU WALK DOWN THE RIGHT PATH RELEASING THE MANURE FROM YOUR PAST, THE ROSES OF YOUR FUTURE WILL BE ALL THE SWEETER TO ENJOY" </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">~ Nicole Huttar </span><br />
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Don't ever let someone tell you that your dreams can't be obtained. Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-28983756598764774252013-02-13T11:25:00.003-08:002013-02-13T11:25:49.021-08:003 Seconds Later....<span style="font-size: large;">There are many times in life as we grow up and get older that are game changers. Some of the normal ones that come to mind are 5years old. When you turn 5 you feel you have arrived your a BIG kid now. Age 13 you have hit the teenage years officially. Age 16 you get your drivers license.... and so on, you get the point. Unlike age however there are other milestones that are not driven by age necessarily but by the seasons of your life. Marriage, the Birth of a child, Divorce, the Loss of a Loved one, or a life changing accident. Mine fell into the latter category on December 12, 2012. For those who don't know me, I am a typical woman with a full time job, 12 year old daughter, and a horse farm. Horses are my passion. I have spent the last 28+ of my 41 years soaking up all the knowledge of owning, training, caring for, and riding horses that I possibly could. Many of those years especially the last 20 or so I have shared this knowledge with others young and old. Horses are large majestic creatures that certainly have a mind of there own. In the horse world there are two types of people: Those who have had an accident around horses and those who will eventually have an accident around horses. If all of a sudden you have puffed out your chest in indignation while reading this and say "I've never had an accident around my horse and I don't intend to start now", I hope for your sake that is true. I can say however with uncanny certainty, the level of your accident will be in direct relation to not only YOUR horse knowledge but the LACK of knowledge of those around you. Any knowledge I share relating to horses is because they are my passion, life blood, and addiction. I have this silly notion that everyone should experience the pure joy and love of horses the way I do. On that note my accident story I want to share for two reasons: #1 If this story makes you shudder and think twice while backing your horse off a trailer I may just have saved you from an accident. #2 It is my duty as a horse professional to bring to light a true safety issue many of us horse people never thought about. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">NOTE: This is NOT the actual trailer or horse(s) but it was </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">December 12th was a normal day on the farm. We had an overnight boarder coming in on their way to Florida. We have many snowbirds as I call them that live in the great cold northern region the US and head south to Florida for the winter months. Lovely couple with their husband's horse. A large draft/qtr cross mare brought in with a general 3 horse slant load gooseneck trailer with the fold down windows. I have watched people unload horses off these types of trailers thousands of times. Open the window hook the lead rope to the halter unhook the trailer tie, the person in back unhooks the slant divider and off the horse backs. No problem... Never once have I thought about the person hooking the lead rope on or the fact that 90% of them, including myself at 5'9 are too short to reach the halter without hanging off the side of the trailer holding on with one hand while feeding the rope through with the other. I bet if you are a horse person reading this you have NEVER once thought about this or how unsafe it is. This is where my injury takes place. I first have to say the horse did NOTHING wrong. Not acting up, she was a perfect mare. ( I do realize mare and perfect are two words are rarely in a sentence together.) In this instance however it is true. I offered to hook the lead rope on the horse since this gentleman's wife was about 5 foot tall and she couldn't even reach the horse. He handed me a rope with a clip (this should have been my first red flag) this was not a standard cotton lead rope, it was just a rope much like a rappelling rope or rock climbing rope with a horse snap attached. It was about 12ft or so and tangled at the end.<strong> #1 RULE of HORSEMANSHIP -NEVER GET IN A HURRY</strong>. I wasn't in a hurry but I did think, "HMMMMMM that is not a real lead rope". In that moment had I stopped retrieved one of my lead ropes the accident would have never happened. The horse industry has millions of types of lead ropes for every purpose in the book. I prefer the braided cotton with a good sturdy snap on the end. 8-10 feet no longer for leading or unloading and made of a material that will not readily tangle or knot back on itself. Hindsight being 20/20 and many weeks of recovery replaying the scene in my mind of shoulda, woulda, coulda I have come to the conclusion this would have been best way to have avoided what happened next. I stepped up on the sideboard of the trailer, snapped the rope to the mares halter, untied her trailer tie and called for him to undo the butt bar. Holding on the trailer with one hand I was feeding the rope through with the other as every other horse person in the world has done at least once. <strong>2# RULE Put the lead rope around the horses neck and let them back themselves off. Do NOT feed the lead rope through the window as the horse backs off. </strong> (Slant load trailers with rear tack do not allow for you to get in the trailer with a large horse if they are loaded in the slant closest to the door) I have an open stock trailer for this very reason. As the mare started back and stepped off the trailer she popped her head up to catch her balance for the step down. In that very moment the rope flipped up out of my hand and curled back on itself around my 3 middle fingers. The rope then got hung on the open window and the loop closed around my fingers as she backed the last two steps off the trailer. At first it felt like just a bad rope burn, the loop closed and then straighted out as the tension increased. I jumped off the trailer and grabbed at my hand closing it into a fist. Several cuss words and stomping my foot later, because stomping your feet always helps the pain, I figured some peroxide, neosporin and vet wrap would fix it, until I opened my hand. In less than 3 seconds the loop in that rope had stripped my fingertips down to the bone. There I am standing with a woman I have known less than 20 minutes missing the tips of my fingers down to the first knuckle and my first thought was, "Vet wrap isn't going to fix this", my second thought "Find Don I need to go to the hospital," my third thought was "This hurts like a SOB!". The next 5 minutes were a blur of telling the overnighters to make themselves at home, Don tucking me into the car and the fastest drive to the ER in the HISTORY of MAN. Don could drive Formula One cars or at the very least road courses. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Being the eternal optimist that I am, a flaw I am told by some, this is where the Power of Prayer, Faith, and Family come into play. You see I live in a very rural country part of NC. The nearest major hospital is an hour away. There is a hospital close to the farm but I never in a million years thought they would be able to take care of an injury such as mine. Fingers with bone exposed, tendons, nerves and muscles all mangled and a hand with multiple cuts, it was truly a scene out of a bad slasher movie. I have always heard that when you have a horrific injury that your body will numb the pain, endorphins and adrenalin will kick in so the pain is minimized.... This my friends is a BLOODY lie!!! I hurt like hell at that moment all I wanted was to be out of pain. I would have gone to my veterinarian at that point if I had thought they were closer but I digress. Hugh Chatham was where we went. Five minutes from the farm, well the way Don was driving anyway. :) As luck would have it not only did they have an orthopedist on call but Dr. Johnson was a hand surgeon specialist. That was BLESSING # 2 for the day, BLESSING #1 was that Don was still at the farm and had not yet left to run his errands. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next few days were a blur of hospital, surgery, what ifs, what can I expect, and reassuring those closest to me that I was going to be just fine. Some members of my family and in my closest circle of friends don't deal with accidents well. I understand this and I never intended my passion for horses to be a constant source of worry for my loved ones. If you are a horse person you get this. Everything we do revolves around our passion for horses. Right or wrong it just simply is this way. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't worried, or that I didn't have my breakdown and have my pity party. "Pity table for one please". I waited until I was alone. They had rolled me down to surgery prep getting me ready, there I was alone in the silence of my own thoughts. The tears, fears, and the stress all came out. Bless the hearts of those poor nurses that had to deal with me the blubbering fool. The last thing I remember was a nurse handing me a tissue and me telling her "Don't mind me I will be the blubbering idiot in the corner". She smiled eyes full of compassion, winked and said, "Go right ahead we won't tell a soul". For the most part I am not a vain person. I don't fuss so much over hair, makeup, and the like before I leave the house. The people at WalMart, Lowes Home Improvement, Food Lion, and Tractor Supply probably think I own nothing but boots and riding pants and live in a ponytail or baseball hat. I am forever going there straight after riding. My injury however did give me pause. I had no idea what the future for my hand held. How much would they be able to save, what was it going to look like, would people notice? I think the worst part was not knowing and not being able to see my hand after the surgery. The Surgeon and all of the staff were wonderful. I had an amazing medical team on my side. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A picture of me and Indie with the boxing glove chilling on the couch. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Post surgery and the following weeks are where the REAL fun began. (There is complete and udder sarcasm dripping out of every word of that sentence.) Not one single part of this recovery was fun. Not fun for me, not fun for those close too me, and especially suck suck sucky for Don and Genna who had to live with me. Here I was hand wrapped in what I can only describe as a boxing glove. Dr. Johnson left me with specific instructions "You may NOT do anything around the horses with this injury. If a germ, spore, or anything causes infection to these fingers you will lose your hand". Guys let me tell you this one sentence hit home. Over the coming days I had come to terms with my fingers. Even making jokes, much to the dismay of some of my family. Being called Stubby I could deal with, I had no desire to be called Stumpy because of a stupid infection. I am a HORRIBLE patient, I don't mean to be but I am. Depending on others kills me. This injury humbled me more than I can begin to describe in words. I was determined to make the best of it but until you lose the use of a hand, even the non-dominate hand you have no idea how much you use it. I won't go into detail but suffice to say you use it ALL THE TIME. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Moment of Truth</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next several weeks were pure torture for me. Five days after my surgery it was time for the first wrap change. The moment of truth.... I was going to see for the first time a glimpse into what my new normal was going to be. To be honest I didn't know what to expect. Taking off the wraps was just about worse than the injury when it happened. Bandages stick to open wounds. My nurse was amazing! She was as gentle as she could be but the reality of it was, It was just going to hurt and there was nothing she could do about it. Dr Johnson was pleased with the progress, and off I went with a new wrap. Wrap number two came 5 days after the first with some new instructions, " I want you to unwrap this everyday and soak your hand in salt water for as long as you can stand it but no less than 3 minutes.WHAT???? Have you ever gotten a paper cut? Forgotten about it and then headed to your favorite fast food restaurant and ordered french fries. Not thinking you picked up the first fry with your cut finger. Remember the burn, the stinging? Now take that moment and multiply it by a cup of Epsom salt in 4cups of water in the open wound on three fingers. On a pain scale of 0-10, (10 being the worst pain you have ever felt) that feeling is around 212. It did get easier and the soaks did help. They were not fun but they did help. Each Dr's visit I asked the same thing when can I resume my horsey activities? Answer: When your fingers totally heal. By this time it had been weeks since I had lead, touched, or even smelled a horse. Torture in it's purest sense is for a horse person being told you may not get within touching distance of a horse. . I was trapped looking out the bay window while the horsey activities went on around me. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Getting used to my "New Normal"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This story does have a happy ending. My family, friends, co-coworkers, even people I have never met rallied around me. Donations of meals, offers to help with the farm, donations of clothes I could actually get on over my boxing glove, all helped ease the stress of one of the most difficult seasons of my life. Don and Genna were AWESOME! Taking over all the chores I normally do and helping me with everything. What amazed me the most were the prayers. Tons and tons of prayers. Prayers from people I have never met. Prayers from people who I never thought were praying kind of people. My story is not unusual, people get injured all the time. Injuries much worse than what I have sustained. I can name multiples instances off the top of my head. What is unusual is my healing process. My injury was very graphic. Not even the Dr. thought I would heal the way I have. He has commented several times during the course of my healing process that he is amazed at how quickly and well my fingers have healed. I can only take what he says at face value. He had very little to work with really no tissue left to use to graph. There was nothing to sew back together. He amputated the bone almost down to the first joint leaving what was left of that joint and tendon in tact. He had no expectations that it would be a cosmetically pretty or even how functional it would be. He certainly never expected for me to grow any type of finger nail or nail bed back. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">New nail starting to grow</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone has their beliefs. I will not fault another human for believing in something or someone other than God and Jesus. That is not my call to question, judge or belittle. I can tell you over the years I have had my doubts, questions and received judgement from people of faith. I only had half hearted faith in what I didn't understand. In this instance I can tell you I firmly believe in the power of prayer and faith. A dear dear friend of mine called to check on me many many times over the course of this accident like so many others that I hold close to my heart. Her words were of great comfort to me. "Nicole ", she said, "We may never know why this accident occurred, but there is a reason for everything that he (meaning God) allows to happen. God will never set you up to fail. Tomorrow or the next day even years down the road what has happened to you may have meaning, or you may never know at all, but it will have purpose, we just have to have faith that something positive will happen out of your misfortune and I will continue to pray for you to be blessed by his grace". Those are powerful words coming from a woman truly entrenched in her faith. From that conversation, well really before but our conversation certainly sealed the deal, I wanted to turn my accident into as positive an experience as I could. This story may never help anyone or prevent this type of accident from happening to someone else, but if it does then I am glad I wrote it. On a side note 9 weeks after my accident, I am typing this story with my new to me healed fingers. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back in the Saddle</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am back to riding (exactly 57 days after my injury), typing and all my normal activities. The strength is still somewhat limited but it is getting better everyday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Many people have asked to see a picture timeline of my injury and recovery. I will post the link below. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I WARN YOU SOME OF THE PICTURES ARE VERY GRAPHIC IN NATURE. THEY INCLUDE PICTURES FROM THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM PLEASE DON'T CLICK ON THE LINK. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLKzEeoCFX0&feature=youtu.be"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLKzEeoCFX0&feature=youtu.be</span></a></div>
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Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-6941005517731925332011-08-25T08:41:00.000-07:002011-08-25T08:48:39.412-07:00Equine Excerpts- "FREE Horses are NEVER free" Part 1- Basic Care and CostsIf you have owned horses for any length of time then you are already nodding your head or at the very least rolling your eyes because you know "Free horses are never free". Over the years I have seen the changes in the horse industry and it usually booms and declines with our economy as many of you in the horse business know. I have seen huge horse operations that were showing at the national level shut down due to the decline in client base and people holding onto their money. Large well known operations who are turned into the authorities because their horses have been neglected to point of starvation and death. This is real folks and it is a REAL ISSUE. This particular blog will be a series due to the multiple facets of the "FREE" horse.<br />
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I will go on record now as saying there are some really nice "FREE" horses available on the market right now due to the economy. With that being said, if you have never owned a horse, cared for a horse, have only ridden a horse at a hack line stable or at your grandparents in the summer--- <strong><u>STEER CLEAR OF THE FREE HORSE!!!!!</u></strong> unless you have a credible horse savvy person helping you locate one. There now I have said it. <br />
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<div align="center"><strong><u>HORSE CARE IS <span style="color: red;">NOT</span> FREE</u></strong></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>What most people who have never owned a horse don't realize is... HORSES are not DOGS. They are large 1000lbs creatures who require lots of care and maintenance. Horses are not meant to live on a 1/4 acre of land in your back yard, nor can they just live on grass in this 1/4 acre. I know most of you who will read this are already horse owners and have been for years. If you are new to the horse world and wish to own your own horse <strong>please I beg you</strong> to continue reading this blog. <br />
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<strong>It might just give you the insight you need to succeed. </strong><br />
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One of my dear clients once told me that when he talks to a potential new horse owner he tells them <em><strong><span style="background-color: black; color: red;">" If you can put $350.00 in a savings account for a year and not dip into this fund for any reason what so ever then you can afford to own a horse" That is $4200.00 for the year.</span></strong></em> Now this figure he came up with is in direct relation to what board costs, farrier costs, and routine vet care in his area. I tend to think if you are boarding a horse this is on the low end of the scale and does not take into account any Emergency Vet care, supplements, or equipment you will need, nor does it take into account if you are keeping your horse at home and the maintenance to your horses living arrangements. This is just for routine monthly care of your horse. There are two ways main ways in which to care for you horse. Board at a facility or Keep your horse at home. I will touch on both of these and give you a brief rundown of what to expect. I say brief because like many horse people who have been in the industry for years I could write a book on each.<br />
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BOARDING YOUR HORSE AT A FACILITY:<br />
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1. Paying your horses board bill every month is not <strong><span style="background-color: black; color: red;">optional</span></strong>. It should come second right after your mortgage or rent. If you struggle each month to pay your mortgage and utilities then you can't afford to own a horse. (Farm owners pay their help, grain/hay suppliers, and routine farm maintenance out of your horses BOARD MONEY) They are running a business not a half-way house for horses, nor do they do it "just out of the goodness of their heart". <br />
- Full board $250.00- $550.00 or more depending on your geographic location. <br />
* Generally includes: Grain, Quality Hay, Water, Shelter and or Stall, Turn Out with safe fencing <br />
* Full board generally does <strong><span style="color: red;">NOT</span></strong> include: extra feed supplements, worming program, farrier or vet visits. These are separate costs and should be budgeted accordingly. <br />
* You are also paying for their knowledge about horses and their time. Investigate facilities and get references. Do your homework.<br />
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The above is just a brief look at what the average costs are at a boarding facility. Later in my blog I will give you a range of prices for different items that are part of your horses routine care. <br />
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KEEPING YOUR HORSE AT HOME<br />
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The following will give you an idea of what basics you will need to keep your horse at home. Again this is not the all inclusive list but it will give you an idea of what you will need to get started. <br />
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1. BARN AND SHELTER: For every one horse you have at home you should have 1-2 acres of pasture per horse. Preferably 2 acres of pasture with sewn grass and at least a 3 sided shelter if you do not have a barn. If you do not have that much property be prepared to feed hay all year long. <br />
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2. FENCING: electric, woven horse fence, wooded fencing, rubber fencing, pvc fencing are all acceptable forms of fence. BARBED WIRE IS NOT SAFE HORSE FENCING!<br />
- Be prepared to fix fence often. Horses while beautiful creatures will lean on, chew on, kick at, run through, and generally test the boundaries of a fence. "The grass is <strong>always</strong> greener on the outside of a fence" <br />
- Be prepared to catch your horse when it escapes. Non-horse neighbors are generally intolerant of your horse trampling their gardens or yard. <strong><em><span style="background-color: black; color: red;">It is guaranteed that your horse will escape when it is the MOST inconvenient for you.</span></em></strong><br />
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3. FEEDING- Be prepared to feed your horse in the dark, rain, snow, ice, and extreme weather. They don't care what the weather is. They are hungry. Even if you are not a morning person your horse still expects to be fed. <span style="background-color: black; color: red;">If you do not feed your horse properly there is a 100% chance you will be catching your horse out of your neighbors garden (reference to 2. Fencing above)</span><br />
- Be prepared to provide fresh clean unfrozen water every day. They can't eat ice. If your horse does not stay hydrated they will colic. Horses on average will drink 15-25 gallons of water a day. <br />
- Be prepared for fluctuating grain and hay prices. These prices can fluctuate drastically even within a months time depending on the weather, gas and grain commodity prices. <em>(see average grain and hay prices below)</em><br />
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4. INJURIES and ILLNESS<br />
- Be prepared and have a plan to haul your horse to the vet before you need it. Some vets will come to you for routine care, but for greater emergencies you will have to haul your horse to them. HAVE A PLAN BEFORE YOU NEED IT!!! I can't stress this enough. <br />
-LEARN what trees, bushes and plants are poisoness to your horse. There are many that will be fatal. <br />
-LEARN horse first aid. If the site of blood or the thought of giving your horse a shot turns your stomach then you shouldn't keep your horse at home. It is not a case of "If it happens, but when". Horses can get hurt on seemingly nothing. Cuts, gashes, abrasions, hives, swelling are all a part of horse ownership. <br />
-LEARN what is normal for your horse. Every horse is different. If you pay attention to your horses daily routine then you will be able to spot changes in behavior which could mean the difference between a normal vet call and an extremely expensive vet call. <br />
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5. ROUTINE CARE<br />
-Hoof Care: THIS IS NOT OPTIONAL- Horses hooves need to be trimmed every 5-8 weeks as a general rule of thumb. There are exceptions to this of course but this is a good basic average. Find a good farrier. Don't expect your farrier to train your horse to stand still while he tries to trim or shoe. It is your job to pick up, clean and inspect your horses feet every time you ride and several times a week if not everyday even if you are not riding. <br />
-Worming schedule: Discuss with your vet a good worming rotation that is right for your horse in your geographical location. The rotation can be anywhere from 4 to 12 times a year or even daily depending on your horses needs. CONSULT your vet.<br />
- Vaccinations and Coggins: If you can't afford vaccinations and a coggins test every year for your horse you should not own one. Consult your vet to see what vaccinations are needed in your area. <br />
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6. VACATIONS: This is something people do not think about at all when they think keeping a horse at home will be "NEAT". If you go out of town you must have someone horse savvy and dependable to care for your horse while you are gone. <br />
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The above does not cover all the facets of horse ownership but does cover some of the basics. Below is a list of some of the items I have mentioned above that are all apart of routine care.<br />
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1. 50lbs bag of grain <strong> $9.00-$20.00</strong> (depending on the needs of your horse this may last a week to two weeks) horses should never eat more than 5lbs of grain at one feeding. <span style="background-color: black; color: red;"><em>Feed at least two meals a day or break the meals down into smaller 3-4 meals a day fed a minimum of 5 hours apart and 10-12 hours if it is just two meals.</em></span><br />
2. Bale of Hay <strong>$2.50-$9.00</strong> a bale (depends of type of hay and the quality, you get what you pay for) A horse can eat 10-20% of it's body weight in roughage a day it needs a minimum of 10%. That's alot of hay per day if you don't have a good pasture source.<br />
3. Farrier visits (the horseshoer guy for those of you who are not familiar with the term farrier) <strong>$35.00-$125.00</strong> per visit depending on the type of trimming and/or shoes you get. Can my horse go barefoot? Can it just get front shoes? Does it have to have shoes all the way around? Does my horse need special shoes to stay<span style="background-color: white;"> </span>sound? These are questions you need to know the answers to. Ask a professional or very knowledgeable horse person to help or you could end up with a lame horse. <br />
4. Worming. <strong>$5.00-$15.00</strong> for each worming depending on the rotation and type of worming. <br />
5. Supplements <strong>$20.00- ?? EXPENSIVE</strong> again consult a professional. Good quality hay and feed can prevent some supplements, however there are horses that must have supplements to stay healthy and sound. Do you own one of these horses?<br />
6. Routine Vet Care. This can vary greatly depending on the vet and the area in which you live. Plan on <strong>$100.00-$200.00</strong> or more per vet visit. One to two times a year. This does not include emergency visits. <br />
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I hope this helps those of you that are considering horse ownership. If you are already a horse person and know people that are considering horse ownership for the first time please feel free to send them my blog. <br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: black;"><strong>****Please note this blog does not cover all the facets of horse ownership or the costs associated with it. It is meant as a reference for beginning horse owners who are doing their research to get a basic cost idea of what horse ownership entails.****</strong> </span></span>Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-21076842426267820402011-08-11T08:06:00.000-07:002011-08-11T08:06:34.352-07:00Equine Excerpts- The Fever<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Fever </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Is it a curse or a gift, one may never know</div><div style="text-align: left;">The passion for horses that forever grows</div><div style="text-align: left;">You thirst for knowledge</div><div style="text-align: left;">To understand this great beast</div><div style="text-align: left;">It’s brain or it’s heart at the very least</div><div style="text-align: left;">This beautiful animal so graceful and kind</div><div style="text-align: left;">With a single whinny they can clear our troubled mind</div><div style="text-align: left;">They put us at peace when our world becomes dark</div><div style="text-align: left;">How did God know we would need such a spark</div><div style="text-align: left;">The smell of it’s muzzle and gleam of it’s coat</div><div style="text-align: left;">Brightens our world with each gentle stroke</div><div style="text-align: left;">This treasure so rare only the privileged understand</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Incredible bond between Horse and man</div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Nicole Huttar 2004</span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfBuQt6j4qX9rQoUZQdaGRaVoBmE2qJGIkrthgzgf_idWA-eGbdzJmEHovyZorqtYpN-24dHiSjrRmfaSOsRmYtWtSEmfbeSl3zyzmEHn6xDPV3V2SX0uMR74Va8eP4P_rq8G5uQ4eJw/s1600/sataanstatefair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfBuQt6j4qX9rQoUZQdaGRaVoBmE2qJGIkrthgzgf_idWA-eGbdzJmEHovyZorqtYpN-24dHiSjrRmfaSOsRmYtWtSEmfbeSl3zyzmEHn6xDPV3V2SX0uMR74Va8eP4P_rq8G5uQ4eJw/s200/sataanstatefair.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-91701607492079193632011-08-08T10:20:00.000-07:002011-08-08T10:20:04.353-07:00I Wear Many Shoes..... or BootsHave you ever heard the phrase " She wears many hats"? Well that would be me I guess except I really don't like the analogy "wears many hats". With the exception of the occasional baseball cap adorning my farm logo or the riding helmet I always wear with any equestrian activity I am just not really a hat person..... Now shoes, everybody can relate to shoes... Man or woman but especially women can relate to shoes. You cannot go anywhere without the appropriate footwear. If you do people will notice. Walk into any office building in a corporate America setting with a chic two piece skirt suit, hair done and makeup applied to perfection, but you are wearing a pair of good ol barn style wellies or muck boots with your ensemble. People will notice. You have to visualize said boots with mud caked on the heel and sole to complete the picture. People will not only stare, the security will chastise you and probably guide you to the service entrance and freight elevator. On the flip side of this if you walk into a barn any barn, doesn't matter the discipline with a pair of white wedge sandals (as if the sandal part wasn't bad enough) you will stick out like a sore thumb. People will know immediately that A- you have never been to a barn and know nothing about horses, or B- You have a sick horse that you are checking on before work and forgot to throw the afore mentioned muck boots in the car before leaving the house.<br />
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"Where am I going with this?" you ask... WELLLLL the other day as I was straightening my mud room I realized how many pairs of shoes, boots and sandals I really own. Now lets set aside for the moment that I have a shoe and boot fetish and really look at the core (or justification) on my part as to why I need so many pairs. The below description is only a brief insight. I didn't mention flats , flip flops, tennis shoes or tons of cowboy boots that litter the 5 shelves in my mudroom. <br />
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On any given day I change footwear no less than 3 times, it may be four or five times depending on what is planned for the day. Now my horsey friends who lead dual lives will soooooo get this, those of you who are not into horses or better yet those who know only the "Corporate America Nicole" may not understand but it will certainly give you insight as to why I sometimes come to work with the stray piece of hay on my suit or footwear that is a bit muddy around the sole. My favorite is you see me changing out of my muck boots in the parking deck to adorn the appropriate work shoes for the day.<br />
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Each morning during the week I wake up and the first thing I do, well besides the side trip to the bathroom, is go feed the horses. I do not change clothes for this particular step (how many times I change clothes a day is for a different blog). Blue Pjs with little green frogs is the attire for this activity. Footwear of choice is my calf high black muck boots. Why muck boots you ask? I wear these for two reasons; A-you can slip them on with no effort, a must before the first cup of coffee and B- My frog pjs fit nicely inside the boots so the cuffs of my pjs don't get all dirty. I come in from the barn jump in the shower to transform from "Barn Chores Nicole" into "Corporate America Nicole" {da da tadaaaa.. insert super hero theme here}this requires some sort of suit or casual pants and top depending on if I am meeting clients, Hair neatly fixed and styled, along with makeup and the 2nd set of shoes for the day.... dress heels, sensible dress boots or wedge sandals. I go through my work day, come home to change shoes for the 3rd time and transform into "Equestrian Riding/ Instructor Nicole" {the Bonaza theme comes to mind, with the Cartwrights galloping across the open plains.} complete with the riding helmet and appropriate footwear in tow. Now these may be my paddock boots, tall boots, ariat hybrid riding tennis shoe or winter riding boots depending on the season. See just talking about the season and activity at the barn requires me to have at least 4 pairs of riding boots and a pair of muck boots. (again with the justification). Ok now we are up to 3 times a day changing footwear and I am not done. Come Friday evening or anytime on the weekend there is at least one more changing of the shoes. This is "Bass Players Girlfriend Nicole" (For those of you who don't know me personally my Handsome Hottie boyfriend plays Bass Guitar in a band). This set of shoes generally revolves around the club/bar scene. Funky wedge heels, Platform heels or Knee high heeled boots. These are usually too funky and "out there" to be worn any where but in a club or bar. They are certainly NEVER meant to be worn on uneven ground or rocky terrain. Never Never Never go check on your horses in "Bass Player's Girlfriend" shoes. You run the true risk of twisting an ankle and there is a 100% chance you will not make it out of the barn clean. It is however amusing for everyone around you. Truth be known these shoes are only meant to be worn for a few hours at a time depending on how much dancing is involved :) This type of shoe will be taken off as soon as I cross the threshold into the mudroom if they last that long. I have been known to walk from the car to the house on a few late nights barefoot. The last shoes of the evening is the bedroom slippers which I did not add into my changing count but probably the most important of them all. These in reality are crocs with the fuzzy lining inside that can serve the dual purpose of walking around a house with hardwood floors and stepping out onto the porch without the moisture wicking up through the bottoms. This usually happens in the middle of the night when the dogs have decided chase some poor woodland creature through the front yard or the woods. This activity requires me to threaten the dogs within an inch of their furry little lives so that I can catch a few more hours of that elusive sleep I talked about in an earlier blog. <br />
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Hmmmmm... "She wears many shoes" I wonder if it will catch on? Probably not but it still paints a better visual.. Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-22439115345087269912011-08-05T08:08:00.000-07:002011-08-05T08:08:22.598-07:00Equine Excerpts --- And Time Moves On....This morning was a lovely reminder of why I teach and train instead of "just ride". I had the opportunity to speak with one of my former riding students who I haven't seen in several years. It seemed like just yesterday she was this young teenager just starting high school who wasn't as outwardly confident in her riding as some of her peers but certainly had the natural talent and drive to learn. She is now in college riding for her school and has continued her equestrian education. I took a moment to watch her as she did some ground work with a particularly overbearing paint mare that is boarded at a client's facility. She has developed her own style, a quiet confidence exudes from her as she quietly without a word spoken gets this horses attention. Her summers are now spent working and training other peoples horses and teaching lessons to young beginners with the same thirst for knowledge she had when we first met. This young lady is one of many former students that have gone to make their mark in the equestrian world. <br />
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It has always been my goal as a trainer/instructor to give my students the core skills they need to succeed. To build their confidence in the saddle to help them achieve their goal. It doesn't matter if that goal is being comfortable out of the ring on a trail or competing at the national level. As an instructor I will take a student as far as I can in their training. When they are ready for the next level I will find them an instructor that will help them achieve their ultimate goal. As a trainer nothing brings me more joy than to see a former student go on to further their equestrian career and do well. I will be the first one to cheer them on from the ringside, to say "job well done". I have had students go on to compete at Regional and National levels, training their own horses, riding with the Royal Lippizzan Troup, and to most importantly pass on what they have learned to the next generation of equestrians. <br />
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Students learn so much more in the world of horses than just "how to ride"... They learn core values, compassion, decision making skills, to put something or someone else before yourself, inherent knowledge of what is right and wrong, the camaraderie of others who share their passion, and finally the most important is a Sense of Self. In the horse world you never stop learning. Good and Bad you see and meet people from every walk of life. You take away from each encounter something useful. It may be an new piece of equipment you have never seen before that will be beneficial to you or someone in your circle, or it may be a training method you have never seen. Watch closely and listen carefully, there is huge world of knowledge just waiting to be tapped into.<br />
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Every time a person comes to my farm to ask for lessons or training I feel very blessed that in some small way I will be able to share the knowledge I have gained over the last 30+ years that will allow them to safely and confidently learn to ride and be comfortable around horses. It may be the adult rider who has waited all their life to ride or the next generation of equestrians, either way I have shared my passion, this is what drives me to continue. Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-10550109764264983752011-08-04T09:24:00.000-07:002011-08-04T09:24:48.943-07:00Finding the balance....I am not sure why the sudden urge has hit me to write again all of a sudden, but it has. This urge has been building like the water behind a poorly built damn with small trickles of water or inspiration in my case struggling to break free and flow across a piece of paper (OK well a computer screen since my penmanship sucks). Strangely enough this sudden urge rushes forward within me to write and it gets in the way of all the other MUST DO things that are on my list. This list I speak of, which I am sure it is the same as most people, includes a litany of things such as; Family, Work, Farm, Daily chores, and the all important holy grail of getting enough Sleep. With all of the things already on my to do list finding the quiet time to write just always seems to be just out of my reach. Some things are not worth putting to paper and there are others, a funny story, poetry, or process and goals that really need to have their place saved for later reference which does not include bouncing around in my already crowded conciseness and daily routine. Walking down the street this week to run some necessary errand, the thought flew through my brain as to how many totally different and unrelated things crossed through my thought process in that short 4 block walk. It was like displaying a PowerPoint presentation in 5 seconds intervals; the project at work that needs finishing, calling Don to see how his day is going, starting a journal as to the slow progress I am making in Murder's training (my horse Murderinthefirst), raging war on the weeds growing under the fence line coming down the driveway, is Genna really interested in showing, don't forget to pick up the chlorine tablets for the pool today, wonder how much it is going to cost to get the patures bush hogged this season, why in the world is the woman I just passed wearing that outfit.... did she not have a full length mirror this morning before she walked out the door? Those are just the ones I remembered off the top of my head, I am sure their were many more equally as absurd and non-related. How is anyone supposed to keep focus with such random thoughts firing through the synapses?? I wonder if I am the only one, I certainly hope not. Historically my inspiration has come out in the form of poetry, some good some bad but all of it from deep recess of my soul that has festered its way to the surface. Festered is such a negative word.... well looking up the synonyms didn't help either, they were all equally as negative and not a bit flowery so we will stick with festered. Circling back around to the whole balancing act that is my life. I have a beautiful family, a daughter that I adore and love, a man that I deeply love and appreciate, and quirky circle of family and friends that love me even if at times they don't understand me. I tend to divide my life in to quadrants Family (includes Genna, Don, parents, siblings and friends), Career , Farm, Financial, finally and probably the most important is the circle of faith around all 4 of those quadrants. I do exceptionally well if I can keep the balance going between the 4. If one is out of whack well that is OK too because nothing is ever perfect but if two or more of these things get out of whack.... watch out. Of course each quadrant has it's sub-divisions as well but that list is for another day, and certainly more coffee with added time to describe. Maybe this little 15 minute break of typing my thoughts will give my mind the reprieve it needs to keep my eye on the many goals I wish to achieve and give some weight as to the importance of each of those things. However if the dam totally breaks watch out! There is no telling what the overflow and outpouring may be. You have already seen a glimsp of what goes through my mind while walking down the street. Imagine the elaboration on each of those thoughts... it could go on for days. I think I have plugged the hole for now. I don't think Ducttape, baling twine or fencing wire will fix this one though... For those of you who know me these are my three favorite (YOU CAN FIX ANYTHING) must haves...Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-73577044916360373782008-10-28T12:58:00.000-07:002008-10-28T13:11:59.162-07:00Puppy Day Two<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hmmmm</span> after a not so restful night of sleep, I wake up to the new.... puppy whining.. in what I hope is the need to go outside. Off I scurry to get on my boots and coat while he patiently waits by the front door... He knows the drill.... Go outside, do business, come back in.... we almost have it down pat by now. Considering I took him out what seemed like at least 7 million times overnight when in reality it was only say 3 times he is probably getting the idea. Genna and I start our day.. Get up rush around get out the door.. adding the puppy into the equation takes a bit of work, however he is headed to the vet(still without a name) I might add. Off to school, work, and vet we go. All is well he checked out like a champ and our new name.... Are you ready..... it is RILEY.... flows off the tongue ..... Here <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Rileyyyyyy</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Rilllleeyyyy</span> come here boy, or NO RILEY, drop it.... these are criteria for naming pets. The name must flow when being called or scolded. Riley is now sporting his new navy dog collar with the paw prints and matching leash. We are still working out the logistics of same said puppy but I feel he is becoming a member of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">JHF</span> family. When we get home from the vet it is time for the little guy to get the full farm experience. Now keep in mind Riley is 6 weeks old.. full of energy but only 6weeks. Here we go headed to the barn where he meets, all 4 cats, Fred, Ziggy, Milo, and Otis... none of them ready for the little bundle of energy that is know as Riley. Sammy the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">patriarch</span> dog of the crew sniffs and deems him not worthy of his opinion, Rosie is not so happy about the addition, Chewy is not sure what to think and last but not Least Little Foot has decided that all in all he is not bad for a newbie. We walk through the barn and back to all the pastures and back to the house. Riley is with me step for step... Who knew he would be able to keep up. The ulterior motive was to wear him out for a restful nights sleep.... We can only hope......Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857102659743350003.post-89387934783724620842008-10-28T12:03:00.000-07:002008-10-28T13:07:21.020-07:00Spur of the momentHave you ever just had one of those days where you have fought the good fight managed to stay strong, resist temptation and then <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BAM</span> all at once you change your mind on the spur of the moment...... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">welllll</span> here is that story. For any of you that know me, my family, or the farm you know that animals are a plenty. There is some kind of cosmic force on my farm that says you must have 5 dogs, 4 cats and at least 10 horses on the farm. I have lived there 11 years and it has always been that way. If for some reason those numbers get out of whack something will happen, a stray will appear, a new boarder, someone will beg off a kitten or puppy, depending on the "cosmic need" at the time. This started many many many months ago when the number of dogs fell below the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pre</span>-farm requisite of 5. Over the last 11 years dogs have come and gone for any number of reasons but never less than 5. I have even said NO countless times over the last 6 months to those in need of a home. Last Saturday was my downfall. I have been holding out for an Akita puppy for years now. I had them early on and have always loved them.. I just can't justify the expense with so many other needy little souls out there. This story really begins with my daughter Genna. The "mommy can we get a puppy" phrase has become very insistent over the last couple of months. I have managed to deflect them all successfully until now.<br /><br /><br />Genna went to stay at Suzanne's house for a bit on Saturday to play with her daughter Hanna. As I pulled into the driveway of Suzanne's house I saw the LOOMING sign in the front yard... "FREE PUPPIES" I thought to myself....please please please don't let them be Suzanne's... I was in a hurry so I dropped Genna off and out the driveway I went. I returned several hours later to pick Genna up and there she stood with that look in her eye.... "Mommy can we have a puppy, there free" Now you all know at least the adults that read this post, there is NO such thing as a free puppy. Just doesn't happen in the real world. I looked out the back door and to my surprise were 8 wiggly puppies. I asked casually, "who are the parents?" that was my downfall. The mom some indeterminate breed had the wire hair that looks very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">similar</span> to Albert Einstein.... (i love that hair on a dog) The dad was your common everyday yellow lab with something thrown in for good measure. Since at that point in the evening I was in dress clothes I did manage to put my daughter off until Sunday. I knew it was just a matter of time. For the next 24hours I heard.... "When are we going back to pick up the puppy????" and "What do you need with another dog" As you can imagine one was my daughter and the other was from every other human being that knows me. :) Sunday arrived... 12noon came, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm and then about 6:30 we head to the car. Genna is grinning ear to ear, Don(my boyfriend) is shaking his head and down the road we go. We arrive to find the little yellow bundles of fur all huddled together because now it is dark and getting chilly. We sit on the back porch steps and they look at us with those little puppy eyes... <em>I wanted everyone of them.... I kept that to myself</em>....One of the puppies crawled out of the mound and sat in front of Don "pick me up" (he said with his puppy eyes) This puppy was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">campaigning</span> for a home. With his little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">tuffs</span> of hair sticking out all over his head... We deemed him the new puppy and headed for home.<br /><br /><br />A new puppy is all fun and games until you begin to lose sleep as my 8yr daughter found out.... I came home we played with "the puppy" name was yet to be determined and took him to go potty... I was very pleased that he took to this very well.. Go outside, do business, come back in. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">wheeeewww</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">hooooo</span> he doesn't mess around.. One point for the puppy!!!!! Next I tuck Genna and the new puppy in the bed, Now you know she would want to sleep with him. This lasted about 5 hours...... about 1am, yes that is in the morning when normal people are asleep, I hear, knock knock, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">moooommmmyyy</span> I can't sleep the puppy is keeping me up" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Hmmmmm</span> what to do now.. Here I am at 1am sleepy, grouchy with a wiggly bundle of puppy joy, so i take him to go potty... go outside, do business, come back in... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">wheeewww</span> he is really getting this. We come back in head upstairs and I tuck him in, yes with me. Off to sleep we go and still no idea what to name him. Just look at that face.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhactbjoyGwbdp7-JSSHI-sXBamJPIgkKhlPuYbKw0HoTNc5G9hRJSQtCvppOQVuT1RknYbX9v-CBQS_bGwrbUzX86DtTDJ9VEbu7yg8HRZx0C9c6zTGND11728_RUGqSmjOG7y9djCJCo/s1600-h/riley.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262296141710807618" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhactbjoyGwbdp7-JSSHI-sXBamJPIgkKhlPuYbKw0HoTNc5G9hRJSQtCvppOQVuT1RknYbX9v-CBQS_bGwrbUzX86DtTDJ9VEbu7yg8HRZx0C9c6zTGND11728_RUGqSmjOG7y9djCJCo/s400/riley.jpg" border="0" /></a>Nicole Englebert Huttar -Jumping H Farm Re3http://www.blogger.com/profile/02430277736960727863noreply@blogger.com0